WPL 2026: Honey Singh’s ‘Millionaire’, Jacqueline Fernandez, Harnaaz Sandhu Set Stage On Fire In Pre-Match

The 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) began with glamour, excitement, and energy as Bollywood stars Honey Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez, and former Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu lit up the stage at the DY Patil Stadium on January 9.

The star-studded opening ceremony brought together the worlds of cricket and entertainment, creating an unforgettable start to this year's tournament.

The opening match of the season saw defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off against the formidable Mumbai Indians (MI), who won the 2023 and 2025 editions of the WPL. RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and chose to bowl first, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.

Honey Singh and Jacqueline Fernandez Set the Stage Ablaze

The evening began with a power-packed performance by singer and rapper Honey Singh, who set the tone with his hit tracks Millionaire and Lungi Dance. His energetic act got the audience on their feet, with fans waving flags, cheering, and singing along.

Honey Singh's signature style and lively beats created an electric atmosphere across the stadium. Following him, Bollywood diva Jacqueline Fernandez took over the stage with her stunning dance performance. Dressed in a sparkling outfit, Jacqueline performed to some of her popular numbers, combining elegance and energy with flawless choreography.

Her expressions and presence added a special touch to the celebration, keeping the crowd completely hooked.

Harnaaz Sandhu's Powerful Speech Inspires the Crowd

Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, opened the evening with an inspiring speech that celebrated women's empowerment and sporting spirit. Welcoming players and fans, she said,
"Hum taiyaar hai, faasle mitaane ko, farq mitaane ko. Sabke sath kadam se kadam milaane ko, haan hum taiyaar hain apna jahaan banane ko..."
Her poetic words reflected strength, unity, and determination, ending with a powerful call - "Chak De Phatte sherniyon!" - which drew loud applause from the audience.

A Historic Moment for Women's Cricket

The DY Patil Stadium, hosting the opening ceremony, holds a special place in Indian cricket. It is one of two venues for this year's WPL, along with Vadodara. This event also marks the first women's cricket match at the stadium since India's World Cup final victory, adding more emotional weight to the occasion.

Fans unable to attend in person could catch all the action live on Star Sports Network or stream it online via JioHotstar.

With dazzling performances, emotional moments, and an exciting match to follow, the WPL 2026 opening ceremony proved to be a perfect celebration of women's cricket, entertainment, and inspiration - reminding everyone that the game is not just about sport, but also about spirit, strength, and pride.