IPL Auction 2026 Date: The IPL Auction 2026, one of the most anticipated events on the cricket calendar, is set to take place on December 16, 2025, with franchises from across India and the world preparing for a fierce bidding battle to assemble their squads for the upcoming season. Fans are eagerly waiting to see who gets signed, where the big money moves happen, and how they can catch all the action live — both on TV and online.
The 2026 IPL auction will be held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, marking another overseas staging for the event. Unlike mega auctions that occur every few years, this is a mini auction, where teams look to fill gaps in their squads by bidding for the best available players.
Date & Time
According to official details and multiple media reports:
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Date: December 16, 2025
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Time: Auction starts at 2:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time)
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Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
This timing makes it convenient for fans in India to tune in during the afternoon while franchises strategize their picks.
Where to Watch — Live Streaming & Telecast
Cricket followers won’t miss a moment of the auction drama:
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Telecast: The auction will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network across its channels in India.
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Online Streaming: Fans can watch the action live online via the JioHotstar app and website.
This ensures wide accessibility whether viewers prefer traditional TV or OTT platforms.
Purse Values & Team Budgets
One of the key storylines heading into the auction is the remaining purse value available to each of the 10 IPL franchises — essentially, how much money each team has left to spend on player bids. Because teams operate under a strict salary cap, the size of each team’s purse directly influences how aggressive they can be at the auction.
Here’s a snapshot of estimated remaining budgets (in ₹ crore) and slots to fill for each franchise before the auction begins:
| Team | Remaining Purse (₹ crore) | Slots to Fill |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 64.30 | 13 |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 43.40 | 9 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 25.50 | 10 |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 22.95 | 6 |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 21.80 | 8 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) | 16.40 | 8 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 16.05 | 9 |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 12.90 | 5 |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 11.50 | 4 |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | 2.75 | 5 |
These figures show that KKR enters with the largest purse, giving them a strong advantage in the bidding wars, while Mumbai Indians have the smallest budget and may focus on value buys and uncapped talent.
Across all franchises, a total of 77 player slots will be up for grabs, and teams will be looking to strengthen key departments — be it top-order batting, fast bowling, or spin options — based on their squad dynamics.
Auction Format & Player Pool
The 2026 auction will follow mini auction rules, with players from domestic and international circuits available for bidding. According to reports, a large pool of players — over 350 — will be eligible, giving franchises plenty of choices to bolster their rosters.
While mega events often feature hundreds of top-tier names, mini auctions are strategic battles: teams have to balance budgets carefully while targeting specific needs. Expect tactical bidding, surprise picks, and plenty of negotiation moments as the auction unfolds.
What to Expect on Auction Day
Cricket fans should prepare for:
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Intense bidding on marquee players
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Thrilling moments as franchises chase game-changing talent
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Strategic decisions based on remaining purse sizes
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Live reactions from team officials and commentators
With the IPL season just around the corner, the auction will set the tone for what promises to be another electrifying year of T20 cricket.
