TL;DR
- IPL 2026 mini-auction is December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, third year overseas.
- Teams can retain up to 6 players, with RTM cards available for buybacks.
- Franchises have a ₹151 crore auction purse for player acquisitions.
- Several high-profile players like Faf du Plessis and Rashid Khan have been released.
With the IPL 2026 Auction approaching swiftly, anticipation is mounting globally within the cricket community. Clubs are actively engaged in the pre-auction trade period, reorganizing their rosters and seeking an optimal mix of seasoned players and promising newcomers.
This year’s event is a mini-auction, now officially set to take place on December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. While there had been speculation about the auction returning to India, BCCI officials cited logistical considerations for hosting it overseas for the third consecutive year. The IPL auctions were previously held in Dubai (2023) and Jeddah (2024).
This condensed auction will span a single day, with the ten franchises looking to fill squad deficiencies before IPL 2026. Teams must submit their finalized player retention lists by November 15.
IPL 2026 Mini Auction Date and Location
The IPL 2026 mini-auction is scheduled for December 16, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, signifying the third year in a row the event is being hosted outside of India.
Phase | Description | Timeline / Notes |
Pre-Auction Trade Window | Player swaps and cash deals to rebalance squads | Open now and closes approximately 1 week before the auction |
Mini-Auction | Teams fill gaps left after trades | December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi |
Post-Auction Trade Window | Final squad adjustments and tune-ups | Opens after the auction and closes approximately 1 month before IPL 2026 |
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IPL 2026 Auction Guidelines and Structure
The 2026 Indian Premier League auction will operate under a mini-auction structure, featuring substantial revisions to player retention policies, the inclusion of RTM (Right to Match) cards, and adjustments to the team payroll limits.
Retention Limits
Each franchise is allowed to retain or use an RTM card for up to 6 players in total ahead of the auction. These 6 players can include a maximum of 5 capped players (Indian or overseas) and up to 2 uncapped players. The precise mix is at the discretion of the franchise, but these caps ensure squads remain balanced and competitive going into each new season.
RTM (Right to Match) Cards
The RTM feature allows teams to buy back their own released players at the auction by matching the highest bid placed by another team. For IPL 2026, if a team wants to exercise an RTM, the highest bidder is allowed one final opportunity to raise their offer before the RTM card can be used, making the process more dynamic and competitive. Teams that retain fewer than six players can use the remaining number as RTM options at the auction.
Salary Cap
The IPL 2026 season will see franchises with a ₹151 crore auction purse, enabling greater team investments compared to prior seasons. The total compensation framework now comprises the auction purse, performance bonuses, and, for the first time, a supplementary match fee of ₹7.5 lakh for each player in every game.
Released Players List - 2026
Anticipation is building for the IPL 2026 auction, which promises significant drama as franchises have released numerous prominent players, paving the way for fierce bidding. These strategic decisions to part with well-known athletes stem from factors such as player performance, physical condition, squad composition, and financial constraints.
High-Profile Releases:
- Faf du Plessis (Delhi Capitals): Released to rebuild opening options and strengthen the death bowling unit.
- Ravichandran Ashwin (Chennai Super Kings): Let go as CSK looks to revamp its spin attack and infuse youth.
- Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans): A surprising omission intended for middle-order adjustments and new spin choices.
- Quinton de Kock (Kolkata Knight Riders): Released amidst a youth-focused overhaul and pace arsenal changes.
- David Miller (Lucknow Super Giants): Released to reshape the death overs and batting depth.
- Glenn Maxwell & Marcus Stoinis (Punjab Kings): Released as part of a middle-order overhaul and to cut high-cost all-rounders.
- Ishan Kishan (Sunrisers Hyderabad): Significant talk suggests SRH might release their key wicketkeeper-batsman, influenced by auction tactics and financial planning.
IPL 2026 Auction Players List
The IPL 2026 mini-auction promises a mix of confirmed stars, high-profile targets, and under-the-radar talents. Teams are targeting specific roles, from middle-order finishers to versatile all-rounders, while fans can expect a competitive bidding environment.
Confirmed / Probable Players
These players are expected to feature in the auction or have strong trade chatter:
Capped Indian Stars
- Sanju Samson (RR) – Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson could be leaving his current franchise to join CSK.
- Ishan Kishan (MI/KKR) – Rumoured homecoming to Mumbai Indians; KKR also interested.
- Venkatesh Iyer (RCB/SRH) – Swap talk with Liam Livingstone; RCB & SRH keen.
- KL Rahul (DC/LSG) – Talks ongoing; LSG may retain him due to leadership value.
- Devdutt Padikkal (SRH) – Likely all-cash trade from RR; SRH top-order reinforcement.
- Shivam Dube (RCB) – Middle-order hitting depth; RCB interested.
- Shardul Thakur (CSK/RCB) – Seam-all-rounder options for franchises.
- Arshdeep Singh (MI) – Strengthen MI left-arm pace; trade dependent on package.
Uncapped / Emerging Indian Talent
- Ashutosh Sharma (DC) – Finisher with elite strike-rate, PBKS lower-order solution.
- Robin Minz (MI) – Potential long-term WK-bat project, CSK-style development.
- Manoj Bhandage (RCB) – Domestic all-rounder; middle-order + sixth-bowler option for LSG.
Overseas Stars / All-Rounders
- Sam Curran (GT) – Lower-middle-order finisher & death bowler after David Miller’s exit.
- Kamindu Mendis (GT) – Ambidextrous spinner and flexible batter; expand spin options.
- Cameron Green – Premium T20 all-rounder; bat anywhere, bowl hard overs.
- Mitchell Owen – Rising multi-skill profile; strong replacement cameo.
- Ben Stokes – Game-changing all-rounder with leadership impact (if available).
- Ben Duckett – Left-handed top-order engine against spin and pace.
- Jamie Smith – WK-bat with high ceiling and long-term upside.
IPL 2026 Auction: Surprise picks
Franchises looking for overlooked talent and affordable players in the IPL 2026 auction might find a treasure trove by focusing on undervalued or developing cricketers. This group encompasses promising Indian talent, young international prospects, and players on IPL rosters who've demonstrated capability but haven't yet achieved significant recognition.
Domestic Players to Watch
- Prithvi Shaw – A seasoned right-handed batsman aiming for a return following a successful T20 Mumbai League campaign.
- Sairaj Patil – A fast-bowling all-rounder capable of powerful hitting, he was recently recognized as the Player of the Tournament in the T20 Mumbai League.
- Atit Sheth – Versatile top-order batter and right-arm pacer, standout performer in Baroda Premier League 2025.
- Akshat Raghuwanshi – Young, explosive batter with a high strike rate in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League 2025.
- Sayan Ghosh – Right-arm pacer with consistent wicket-taking ability in SMAT 2024-25 and Bengal Pro T20 league.
Young Overseas Talents
- Jacob Duffy (New Zealand), holding the top spot in ICC T20I bowling for 2025, provides impressive speed and reliability that numerous squads might find advantageous.
- A versatile all-rounder from Matthew Short (Australia), capable of batting in any position and bowling off-spin, has attracted notice for his significant contributions in franchise competitions and might represent an excellent value acquisition.
- England's Jordan Cox and Josh Tongue have shown impressive abilities in recent international and franchise matches, positioning them as valuable auction prospects for franchises seeking additional batting and fast-bowling capabilities.
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Where to Stream the IPL 2026 Auction Online
Cricket fans can catch the IPL 2026 auction live through multiple streaming platforms. The auction will be streamed live on the official IPL YouTube channel, providing global access for fans to witness all the bidding action in real-time.
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