IPL Auction 2026 Date, time, venue: The IPL 2026 auction will be held on Tuesday, December 16, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Proceedings will begin at 2:30 pm IST. 10 franchises will compete for 77 available player slots, operating within a combined purse of Rs 237.55 crore. The auction is seen as a crucial checkpoint for teams looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of the new season, which is scheduled to begin in late March 2026.
Unlike mega auctions that allow full-scale team rebuilds, the mini auction is expected to focus on strategic signings, depth additions, and emerging talent. However, with several teams holding substantial funds, aggressive bidding is anticipated.
KKR enter auction with record purse, CSK close behind
Kolkata Knight Riders head into the auction with a significant advantage, holding Rs 64.3 crore, the largest purse ever seen in an IPL mini auction. With 13 slots to fill, KKR are well placed to influence bidding dynamics and potentially drive prices higher for marquee names and promising youngsters.
Chennai Super Kings also enter the auction with strong financial flexibility, carrying Rs 43.4 crore and nine available slots. After a challenging 2025 season, CSK are expected to focus on reinforcing their core while also planning for long-term squad balance.
Star players and youngsters set to spark bidding wars
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is widely tipped to emerge as one of the most expensive buys at the auction, given his versatility and impact potential. Several Indian and overseas players, including Venkatesh Iyer, Liam Livingstone, and Ravi Bishnoi, are also expected to attract strong interest from multiple franchises.
With sizeable purses still available, teams are likely to compete aggressively for uncapped and emerging talent, a strategy that has paid dividends in previous seasons. These investments could prove decisive as franchises look to build depth and future-ready squads.
Mini auction to shape team balance ahead of IPL 2026
Beyond individual signings, the mini auction will play a vital role in shaping team combinations and maintaining competitive balance across the league. Smart acquisitions, especially in fast-bowling and all-rounder departments, could give franchises a crucial edge once the tournament begins.
With financial power varying significantly across teams, the auction is expected to test scouting networks, auction strategies, and long-term planning more than ever.
Fans can watch the live telecast on the Star Sports Network, while the auction will be live streamed on the JioHotstar app and website.
Team-wise purse available for IPL 2026 auction
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Rs 64.3 crore – 13 slots
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Rs 43.4 crore – 9 slots
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Rs 25.5 crore – 10 slots
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Rs 22.95 crore – 6 slots
Delhi Capitals (DC): Rs 21.8 crore – 8 slots
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Rs 16.4 crore – 8 slots
Rajasthan Royals (RR): Rs 16.05 crore – 9 slots
Gujarat Titans (GT): Rs 12.9 crore – 5 slots
Punjab Kings (PBKS): Rs 11.5 crore – 4 slots
Mumbai Indians (MI): Rs 2.75 crore – 5 slots