The IPL 2026 player auction is all set to happen in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on 16th December. The one-day event will take place at Etihad Arena, starting from 2:30 pm IST (1:00 pm local time). This auction is the final step in months of planning, as teams try to fix gaps in their squads before the new season begins.
For the third time in a row, the BCCI has decided to host the auction outside India. The trend started with the 2024 mini-auction in Dubai, followed by last year’s two-day mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Holding the auction overseas helps the IPL get more international attention and makes the event bigger globally.
Mini Auction vs Mega Auction
The IPL has two types of auctions: mini and mega.
- Mini Auction: Happens every year with a limited budget. Teams mainly use it to fill empty spots in their squads. Only players released by their previous teams or newcomers joining the league are allowed. For 2026, there are 77 slots, including 31 for overseas players.
- Mega Auction: Happens once every three to four years. It gives teams a chance to rebuild their entire squad. In the 2025 mega auction, teams spent INR 639.15 crore on 182 players, with Rishabh Pant bought for a record INR 27 crore. For comparison, the 2024 mini-auction saw teams spend around INR 230 crore collectively.
Step 1: Player Retention and Release
Before the auction, teams decide which players to keep and which to release. They have to submit this list before the deadline, which for IPL 2026 was 15th November. The salaries of the retained players are then subtracted from each team’s purse.
After the 2025 IPL final in Ahmedabad, franchises immediately started planning their squads. RCB, who won their first IPL title, kept players like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, and Josh Hazlewood. At the same time, they released big names like Liam Livingstone and Mayank Agarwal. Other players released include Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock, Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, Matheesha Pathirana, Venkatesh Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, and Mujeeb ur Rahman. Russell retired, while Maxwell chose not to enter this auction.
Step 2: Player Trades
During the trade window, teams can swap players or buy them for cash. Ahead of the 2026 mini-auction, 10 players were traded. Some important moves were:
- Sanju Samson moved from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings
- Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran went from CSK to Rajasthan Royals
- Mohammed Shami moved to Lucknow Super Giants
- Shardul Thakur and Sherfane Rutherford joined Mumbai Indians from other teams
Step 3: Player Registration
Players who were released by teams or are new to IPL can register for the auction. Every player sets a base price, which is the minimum bid. The maximum reserve price is INR 2 crore.
Top Indian players in this bracket include Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi, while Cameron Green from Australia is expected to attract big bids.
Initially, 1,355 players registered, but the BCCI shortlisted 350 players (240 Indian, 110 overseas) after consulting teams. Some late entrants, like Quinton de Kock, were also added. The final number may change.
Step 4: Auction Day
On the auction day, an independent auctioneer runs the bidding. Teams raise paddles to bid, and the player goes to the highest bidder. Players are grouped by role (batsman, bowler, all-rounder, wicketkeeper) and base price.
There will also be an accelerated round for unsold players. Only players requested by teams are called during this phase. Unsold players after this can still be picked later if a team has an injury.
Rules for teams:
- Must spend at least 75% of their total purse
- Squad size: 18–25 players
- Maximum 8 overseas players
- Right to Match (RTM) card will not be available
IPL 2026 Season
The IPL 2026 is expected to run from mid-March to end of May. The 10 teams competing are:
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Live Streaming
Fans in India can watch the auction live on the JioHotstar app and website, while TV coverage will be available on Sony Sports Network channels.