The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction is set to ignite cricket fervour worldwide, as it takes place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday (December 16). The IPL 2026 auction kicks off
on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM UAE local time (GST), which is 2:30 PM IST in India.
Check Out the Live Updates of the IPL 2026 auction here. Keep refreshing for latest updates.
The event marks the third consecutive year the IPL auction is hosted outside India, following Dubai in 2024 and Jeddah in 2025, underscoring the league's global appeal. As a mini-auction-unlike sprawling mega-auctions-this edition is condensed into a single day, focusing on efficiency amid a pool of approximately 350 registered players.
Session Structure: Player Sets and Pace
The auction unfolds in a streamlined manner, divided into focused player categories to maintain momentum. It begins with Set 1: Capped Batters, featuring high-profile names like Cameron Green (registered as batter), Devon Conway, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sarfaraz Khan, David Miller, and Prithvi Shaw.
Subsequent sets include Set 2: All-Rounders, Set 3: Wicketkeepers, Set 4: Uncapped Players, and Set 5: Overseas Talents, progressing methodically through the list. Post the initial 70 players, the Accelerated Round kicks in, intensifying the pace for lower-base-price talents to wrap up efficiently. A total of 360 players will be under the hammer for auction.
Strategic Breaks for Maximum Drama
To sustain energy during the marathon, the IPL incorporates protocol-driven breaks, mirroring past mini-auctions like 2022.
Mid-Session Break: Around the 70th player (approx. 5:30-6:00 PM IST, 15-20 minutes), transitioning to the accelerated round for team regrouping.
Dinner Break: After 120-140 players (approx. 7:30-8:00 PM IST, 30-45 minutes), allowing refreshments and networking.
These pauses balance drama with practicality, with the event potentially concluding by 11:00 PM IST, though marquee bids could cause overruns.
IPL 2026 Auction Purse
This mini-auction's compact nature amplifies every bid's impact, with no Right to Match (RTM) cards-reserved for mega-auctions. Teams must commit decisively, heightening stakes for franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders (₹47 crore purse) and Chennai Super Kings (₹55 crore purse), who enter with substantial funds.
| Team | Purse (₹ Crore) | Slots Remaining (Overseas) |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 64.30 | 13 (6) |
| Chennai Super Kings | 43.40 | 9 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 25.50 | 10 |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 22.95 | 6 (4) |
| Delhi Capitals | 21.80 | 8 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 16.40 | 8 (2) |
| Rajasthan Royals | 16.05 | 9 (1) |
| Gujarat Titans | 12.90 | 5 (4) |
| Punjab Kings | 11.50 | 4 (2) |
| Mumbai Indians | 2.75 | 5 |
Total purse available: ₹237.55 crore across all franchises.
