The IPL Auction 2026 or the mini-auction, is set to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi ahead of the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League. With teams having finalised their IPL 2026 retained players and released a host of stars into the pool, the upcoming IPL auction promises intense bidding wars for the 359 shortlisted players. From high-profile IPL 2026 released players list entries like Matheesha Pathirana, Ravi Bishnoi and Venkatesh Prasad to anticipated emerging stars, this event in Abu Dhabi will reshape squads and set the tone for the 2026 season.
IPL 2026 Auction Date, Time & Venue
The IPL 2026 Auction is scheduled for December 16, 2025, marking the third consecutive year the event is held overseas. The venue is the prestigious Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, chosen for its world-class facilities and global appeal. Bidding will commence at 2:30 PM IST and is expected to wrap up in a single day, following the mini-auction format.
This location continues the trend started in Dubai (2024) and Jeddah (2025), allowing for a neutral, high-energy atmosphere. A total of 1,390 players registered, but only 359, comprising 246 Indians and 113 overseas, made the shortlist. The auction will prioritise capped players first (batters, all-rounders, wicketkeepers, pacers, spinners), followed by uncapped talents. Live coverage will be available on Star Sports and JioHotstar, ensuring fans don’t miss a beat of the IPL Auction 2026 action.
Team-Wise IPL 2026 Auction Breakdown
Heading into the IPL 2026 Auction, teams vary widely in purse size, slots available, and strategy. With a combined purse of ₹237.55 crore for 77 slots (31 overseas), franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hold the biggest war chest at ₹64.3 crore and 13 slots, while Mumbai Indians (MI) scrape by with just ₹2.75 crore. Below is a team-wise breakdown based on retentions, releases, and auction needs:
| Team | Remaining purse (Rs) | Available Slots | Overseas Slots | Key Auction Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 43.4 | 9 | 4 | Overseas all-rounder, top-order batter |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 21.8 | 8 | 5 | Top-order openers |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 12.9 | 5 | 4 | Middle-order stability |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 64.3 | 13 | 6 | Multiple stars, including finishers |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 22.95 | 6 | 4 | Indian pacers |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | 2.75 | 5 | 1 | Value buys for depth |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 11.5 | 4 | 2 | Overseas all-rounders |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 16.4 | 8 | 2 | Backup pacers for Josh Hazlewood |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 16.05 | 9 | 1 | Backup wicketkeeper, spinners |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 25.5 | 10 | 2 | Bowling reinforcements |
Top Buys of the IPL 2026 Auction
It will be updated after the auction.
IPL 2025 Auction Sold Players List
It will be updated after the auction.
IPL 2025 Auction Unsold Players List
It will be updated after the auction.
FAQs on IPL 2026 Auction
The IPL 2026 Auction is on December 16, 2025, starting at 2:30 PM IST. It’s a one-day mini-auction filling 77 slots from 350 players.
Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena will host the IPL 2026 Auction.
BCCI has shortlisted 359 players who will go under the hammer. But there are only 77 slots available, including 31 overseas players.
The auction hasn’t occurred yet, but Cameron Green is tipped for the top spot at ₹18-20 crore due to his dual skills. Last year’s record was Rishabh Pant at ₹27 crore (IPL 2025).
