IPL Auction 2026 – Date, Time, Venue & All You Need to Know
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most-anticipated sports leagues in the world, and its annual player auction creates massive buzz among cricket fans, teams, and fantasy gamers alike. As franchises prepare for the IPL 2026 season, the IPL Auction 2026 has become a pivotal event where teams finalize their squads. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover every essential detail — from auction date and time to player list, purse details, and viewing options.
📅 What Is the IPL Auction?
The IPL Auction is an official event organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) where all 10 franchise teams bid for players who are not retained from their previous squads or are new entrants. The goal is to build the best possible team for the upcoming season.
Unlike the regular IPL matches, this is a one-day auction event where star players, uncapped domestic talents, and overseas cricketers go under the hammer. Over the years, IPL auctions have become major cricketing spectacles, followed closely by fans and analysts.
🗓️ IPL Auction 2026 – Date & Time
The IPL Auction 2026 is officially scheduled to take place on:
👉 📅 Date: 16 December 2025
👉 🕒 Time: 2:30 PM IST (1:00 PM UAE Time)
👉 📍 Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE (third time outside India)
This auction is often called a mini auction, which means it’s focused primarily on filling open slots after player retentions and trades — not a mega auction. This event sets the stage for the upcoming IPL 2026 season beginning in March 2026.
📌 Why December 2025 for IPL 2026 Auction?
IPL auctions are generally held several months before the next season’s start. For the 2026 season, the auction timing in December gives teams time to scout performance trends, balance budgets, strategize squad compositions, and prepare logistics for the March start.
🧑🤝🧑 How Many Players Are in the Auction List?
The IPL 2026 Auction Player List was officially announced by the IPL governing body. Key highlights include:
✔ Total players shortlisted: 350
✔ 240 Indian players and 110 overseas players
✔ Capped and uncapped players with various base price brackets
From this pool, team franchises will compete to fill 77 available squad slots across all 10 teams.
💰 Auction Purse & Team Budgets
Each franchise enters the auction with a remaining budget (purse) after retaining certain players. The purse determines how much a team can spend during bidding. Some notable purse positions include:
- Kolkata Knight Riders – highest purse
- Mumbai Indians – one of the lowest remaining purses
Strategic purse management is crucial as franchises aim to balance star buys and role players.
IPL Auction 2026 – Team Wise Purse, Slots & Strategy (Latest)
| Team | Purse Left (₹ Crore) | Total Slots | Overseas Slots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 43.40 | 9 | 4 |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 21.80 | 8 | 5 |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 12.90 | 5 | 4 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 64.30 | 13 | 6 |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 22.95 | 6 | 4 |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | 2.75 | 5 | 1 |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 11.50 | 4 | 2 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 16.05 | 9 | 1 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 16.40 | 8 | 2 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 25.50 | 10 | 2 |
Insight: KKR enters IPL Auction 2026 with the highest purse, while MI has the least budget, meaning Mumbai Indians will focus only on low-cost backups.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Auction Strategy & Players
Purse: ₹43.40 Cr
Team Needs:
• Middle-order batter
• Overseas fast bowler
• All-rounder backup
Key Players Available:
- Liam Livingstone
- Gus Atkinson
- Daniel Sams
- Tom Banton
Auction Strategy:
CSK is expected to target experienced all-rounders and death-over bowlers to support their core Indian players.
Delhi Capitals (DC) – Auction Strategy & Players
Purse: ₹21.80 Cr
Team Needs:
• Explosive opener
• Overseas pacer
• Spin option
Key Players Available:
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Gerald Coetzee
- Saqib Mahmood
Auction Strategy:
DC may go aggressive for young overseas batters and one strike fast bowler.
Gujarat Titans (GT) – Auction Strategy & Players
Purse: ₹12.90 Cr
Team Needs:
• Pace bowling depth
• Middle-order stability
Key Players Available:
- Jason Holder
- Akeal Hosein
- Matthew Potts
Auction Strategy:
GT will likely go for multi-skill players due to limited purse.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Auction Strategy & Players
Purse: ₹64.30 Cr (Highest)
Team Needs:
• Star all-rounder
• Indian middle-order batter
• Quality spinner
Key Players Available:
- Cameron Green
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Liam Livingstone
- Shai Hope
Auction Strategy:
KKR is expected to dominate IPL Auction 2026 with big bids and multiple premium signings.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Auction Strategy & Players
Purse: ₹22.95 Cr
Team Needs:
• Top-order batter
• Overseas pacer
Key Players Available:
- Devon Conway
- Olly Stone
- Daniel Lawrence
Auction Strategy:
LSG may go for a reliable overseas opener and one fast bowler.
Mumbai Indians (MI) – Auction Strategy & Players
Purse: ₹2.75 Cr (Lowest)
Team Needs:
• Backup Indian players
Key Players Available:
- Riley Meredith
- Bevon-John Jacobs
Auction Strategy:
MI will focus strictly on base-price players only.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Auction Strategy & Players
Purse: ₹11.50 Cr
Team Needs:
• Finisher
• Overseas bowler
Key Players Available:
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Tim Seifert
Auction Strategy:
PBKS may aim for death-over specialists at reasonable prices.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Auction Strategy & Players
Purse: ₹16.05 Cr
Team Needs:
• Indian batting depth
• Backup overseas batter
Key Players Available:
- Jonny Bairstow
- Matthew Short
Auction Strategy:
RR is expected to buy experienced international batters.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Auction Strategy & Players
Purse: ₹16.40 Cr
Team Needs:
• Fast bowler
• Middle-order hitter
Key Players Available:
- Shai Hope
- Olly Stone
Auction Strategy:
RCB will focus on bowling balance, especially pace.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Auction Strategy & Players
Purse: ₹25.50 Cr
Team Needs:
• Spin all-rounder
• Top-order batter
Key Players Available:
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Kusal Mendis
- Gus Atkinson
Auction Strategy:
SRH may invest in spin + batting depth.
🔥 IPL Auction 2026 – Predicted Big Buys
These players are expected to attract big bids in IPL Auction 2026:
- Cameron Green
- Liam Livingstone
- Devon Conway
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Gerald Coetzee
- Jonny Bairstow
- Ravi Bishnoi
Prediction:
At least 2–3 players may cross ₹12–15 crore, especially from all-rounder and fast-bowling categories.
📺 Where & How to Watch the IPL Auction Live
For fans in India and around the world, the IPL Auction 2026 will be available to watch via:
✔ Star Sports Network – televised coverage
✔ JioCinema / JioHotstar – live streaming online
Many sports news outlets and social media handles will also present live updates, highlights, and analysis as the auction unfolds.
🔥 Top Players Expected to Create Buzz
While actual auction results will be recorded on the day, cricket analysts and fans are buzzing about several key players who could attract big bids in the 2026 auction. These include:
• All-rounders like Cameron Green
• Power hitters and middle-order anchors
• Spin and pace bowling talents
Experts say these players could be among the most sought-after names by franchises.
📊 Trends from IPL Auction 2025
It’s worth noting that the IPL Auction 2025 also set key patterns for squad building, with franchises focusing on depth, balance, and domestic talent. Many of those teams will be tweaking strategies this time around based on their 2025 season performances.
While the 2025 auction wasn’t as headline-grabbing as a mega event, it showed the continuous evolution of team tactics — something to keep an eye on as we approach the 2026 auction day.
🏆 What Happens After the Auction?
After the auction concludes:
- Teams finalize their complete squad lists.
- Player contracts are officially signed.
- Franchises prepare for pre-season training.
- IPL 2026 fixtures and schedules are released.
This phase is critical as it sets the competitive mood for the next IPL season.
📌 Final Words
The IPL Auction 2026 is more than just a list of player names — it’s where strategic planning meets cricketing ambition. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, fantasy player, or cricket analyst, knowing the date, time, and key details helps you stay ahead of the curve.
✔ Date: 16 December 2025
✔ Time: 2:30 PM IST
✔ Venue: Abu Dhabi
✔ Players: 350 shortlisted for 77 spots
✔ Live Platforms: Star Sports & JioCinema/JioHotstar
Stay tuned for more updates as the auction day draws closer! 🔥
