The Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) will expand to four teams for the 2026 season with the addition of Jamaica Empress, marking the first time in the tournament’s history that it will feature more than three teams.
Jamaica Empress will join the existing franchises—Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, and Trinbago Knight Riders—in the fifth edition of the competition, which is scheduled to take place entirely in Barbados from September 5 to 17.
Since its inception in 2022, the WCPL has operated with three teams. The new format will see each team face the other three sides once during the league 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 contest a playoff on September 16 for the remaining place in the title match on September 17.
Defending champions Barbados Royals will enter the tournament seeking a fourth consecutive title, having won the competition in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Trinbago Knight Riders are the only other champions, having claimed the inaugural trophy in 2022.
Tournament organisers have indicated that the expansion may represent the first step towards a wider international presence. The WCPL has stated that plans are underway to invite teams from outside the Caribbean starting from 2027, with the long-term aim of transforming the competition into a global women’s franchise tournament.
“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,” the WCPL said in a statement.
The 2026 season will begin on September 5 with a match between Barbados Royals and Trinbago Knight Riders. Jamaica Empress will make their tournament debut against Guyana Amazon Warriors on September 6.
WCPL 2026 fixtures:
September 5 – Barbados Royals vs Trinbago Knight Riders
September 6 – Jamaica Empress vs Guyana Amazon Warriors
September 10 – Trinbago Knight Riders vs Jamaica Empress
September 12 – Trinbago Knight Riders vs Guyana Amazon Warriors
September 12 – Barbados Royals vs Jamaica Empress
September 13 – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Royals
September 16 – Playoff (2nd vs 3rd)
September 17 – Final
