IPL 2026 Auction FAQs: Date, Venue, Player Slots, Purse Size and Key Details
IPL 2026 auction FAQs: Find out when and where the IPL 2026 mini auction will take place, total players shortlisted, team purse sizes, biggest buys, uncapped players to watch, auction rules and more.
IPL 2026 Auction FAQs: Date, Venue, Players List, Purse Size and Key Rules Explained
With the player retention process over and the scouting reports completed, the IPL franchises are now all set for the much-anticipated mini auction of IPL 2026. A detailed FAQ-style guide is presented below to answer all your queries regarding the time, place, player availability, and purse sizes.
What is the date and place of the IPL 2026 auction?
The auction for IPL 2026 will take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. It will be a single-day event starting at 1 PM local time (2:30 PM IST).
How many player slots are available?
- A total of 77 slots are up for grabs, including 31 overseas spots.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have the most vacancies with 13 slots.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) follow with 10 slots to fill.
How many players have registered for the auction?
- Out of an initial list of 1,355 players, 359 have been shortlisted.
- 244 Indian players
- 115 overseas players
- A total of 40 players have opted for the highest base price of ₹2 crore, with Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi being the only Indians in this bracket.
What is the maximum squad size for teams?
Each IPL team can have:
- Maximum: 25 players
- Minimum: 18 players
- Overseas limit: 8 players
Who are expected to be the biggest buys?
Australian allrounder Cameron Green is set to be the headline attraction and could fetch a bid exceeding ₹25 crore. Other players likely to draw strong interest include Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith and Ravi Bishnoi, though their prices may not reach similar heights.
How much purse do teams have?
After retentions and trades:
Kolkata Knight Riders have the biggest purse at ₹64.30 crore
Chennai Super Kings follow with ₹43.40 crore
Each franchise will head into the auction with varying budgets depending on their retention strategies.
Is a ₹30-crore player possible at this auction?
Despite aggressive bidding expected from teams like KKR and CSK, a ₹30-crore buy remains unlikely. Moreover, due to the IPL’s maximum-fee rule, an overseas player cannot earn more than ₹18 crore at a mini auction, even if the winning bid is higher.
Which uncapped players could surprise?
Several uncapped Indian players have caught the attention of scouts, including:
- Auqib Nabi (Jammu & Kashmir allrounder)
- Ashok Sharma (Rajasthan fast bowler)
- Prashant Veer (Uttar Pradesh allrounder)
- Kartik Sharma (Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter)
- Vignesh Puthur (left-arm wristspinner)
Is there a marquee set this year?
No. Due to the fact that this is a mini auction, there is no marquee set. The auction is going to start with a group of capped batters which consist of Cameron Green, Devon Conway, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sarfaraz Khan, David Miller and Prithvi Shaw with the first lot comprising of such capped batsmen that are going to be there on the floor or online.
When does the accelerated round begin?
The accelerated round will start after the first 70 players are auctioned. Teams will then nominate unsold players for subsequent fast-paced rounds.
Which big names are missing from the auction?
Some high-profile players have not registered, including Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, and Moeen Ali.
Meanwhile, Andre Russell, released by KKR, has announced his retirement from the IPL and has taken on a power coach role with the franchise.
Can teams use the RTM card?
No. Since this is a mini auction, the Right to Match (RTM) card will not be available to any team.
