IPL 2026 Auction: Date, Time, Purse Breakdown, Team Slots & Live Streaming Details
Get full details on the IPL 2026 mini-auction including date, time, venue, team-wise purse, available slots, major trades, and live streaming information. Find out how KKR and CSK are gearing up for a blockbuster bidding battle on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.
IPL 2026 mini-auction: Teams prepare for high-stakes bidding in Abu Dhabi on December 16, with KKR and CSK entering with the biggest purses
The IPL 2026 mini-auction countdown has just started officially. It will happen on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, and it is going to be an exciting event for everyone as the ten teams will compete for players and, thus, make their squads ready for the 19th season of Indian Premier League.
The story of the auction is mainly about two teams—Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK)—because they have the biggest remaining budgets, which means the auction is going to be very competitive and maybe one of the biggest bidding wars of all IPL times.
When & Where to Watch the IPL 2026 Auction
- Date: December 16, 2025
- Venue: Abu Dhabi
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: Available on JioHotstar app and website
Fans worldwide can tune in through authorised digital platforms.
Team-Wise Remaining Purse for IPL 2026 Auction
KKR: ₹63.4 crore
CSK: ₹43.4 crore
DC: ₹21.8 crore
LSG: ₹22.95 crore
SRH: ₹25.5 crore
RR: ₹16.05 crore
RCB: ₹16.40 crore
GT: ₹12.90 crore
PBKS: ₹11.5 crore
MI: ₹2.75 crore
KKR vs CSK: The Big Bidding Rivalry
With over ₹100 crore between them, KKR and CSK are expected to dominate the auction floor.
KKR’s Roadmap
After releasing Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock, and Anrich Nortje, KKR enter with 13 open slots — six overseas. Their targets:
Overseas pacers
Middle-order hitters
A quality all-rounder
CSK’s Auction Strategy
CSK enter a rebuilding phase after a historic trade window where they exchanged Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for Sanju Samson. They freed up nearly ₹40 crore. Their primary needs:
Powerplay batting partner for Ruturaj
Death bowling options
Mid-order stability
Expect both franchises to go head-to-head for premium fast bowlers and finishers.
Major Trades Before the Auction
Blockbuster CSK–RR Swap
Sanju Samson → CSK (₹18 crore)
Ravindra Jadeja → RR (₹14 crore)
Sam Curran → RR (₹2.4 crore)
Other Key Trades
Mohammed Shami → LSG (₹10 crore)
Arjun Tendulkar → LSG (₹30 lakh)
Nitish Rana → DC (₹4.2 crore)
Donovan Ferreira → RR (₹1 crore, revised)
These trades have dramatically reshaped team combinations and created new auction priorities.
Team Needs Ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction
Delhi Capitals
Released Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mohit Sharma.
Focus: Overseas power-hitters, all-rounders, backup pacers.
Lucknow Super Giants
Added Shami and Arjun Tendulkar; released Ravi Bishnoi and David Miller.
Focus: Leg-spin replacement, middle-order depth, finishers.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Moved on from Shami, Zampa, Rahul Chahar.
Focus: Wrist-spin, Indian seamers, batting backups.
Rajasthan Royals
Released Hasaranga, Theekshana and Farooqi.
Focus: Overseas spinners, pace bench strength, flexible middle order.
Mumbai Indians
Smallest purse; released Topley, Mujeeb, Karn Sharma.
Focus: Budget overseas picks, backup bowlers, specialist spinners.
Auction Night Outlook
The IPL 2026 mini-auction is already turning out to be a spectacular event with over 60 players released and many big names as options. December 16 is the date when Abu Dhabi will be the center of attention for the combination of strategy, money, and sudden surprises.
