WCPL expands to four teams as Jamaica Empress join 2026 season

The Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) is set to expand from three to four teams for the 2026 season, marking a significant step forward in the growth of women's cricket in the Caribbean. Jamaica Empress will join the existing franchises,  the Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, and Trinbago Knight Riders, becoming the fourth team in the competition.

The 2026 edition of the tournament will be held entirely in Barbados from September 5 to 17. Under the revised format, each team will play the other three sides once during the round-robin stage. The team finishing at the top of the standings will earn a direct berth in the final, while the second and third-placed teams will compete in a playoff to determine the other finalist.

Defending champions Barbados Royals will enter the tournament aiming to extend their dominance after winning three consecutive titles in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Their remarkable run has established them as the most successful side in the competition's history. Meanwhile, Trinbago Knight Riders remain the only other team to have lifted the trophy, having won the inaugural edition in 2022.

The addition of Jamaica Empress reflects Cricket West Indies' commitment to expanding opportunities for female cricketers across the region. A statement released by the WCPL also hinted that the move from three to four teams could be the beginning of further expansion plans, highlighting the tournament's growing popularity and long-term ambitions.

"Looking ahead to 2027, the WCPL is preparing to take the next step in its evolution, with plans to welcome teams from outside the Caribbean and establish the tournament as a truly global competition,” said the WCPL as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.