The IPL 2026 auction is scheduled to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, making it the third year in a row that the auction is being held outside India. The venue for this exciting event has been confirmed as the Etihad Arena, a world-class location that will host cricket's most anticipated player auction. The auction will start at 3:00 PM IST, giving cricket fans across the globe a chance to witness the fast-paced bidding action live.
IPL 2026 Auction Highlights
The IPL auction is a crucial event that determines team compositions for the upcoming season, and this year is no exception. With a record-breaking pool of 1,355 players registered, including 45 players with base prices of ₹2 crore, the auction promises fierce bidding wars and surprising team strategies. Top franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have the largest purse of ₹64.3 crore, positioning them as major players in the auction draft.
Why Abu Dhabi? The Venue Choice
Choosing Abu Dhabi as the auction location reflects the IPL's strategic move to expand its international footprint. The city has previously hosted the IPL auctions in 2023 and 2024—first in Dubai and later in Jeddah—demonstrating the league's global outreach efforts. The BCCI's decision to host the auction there underscores the importance of international locations for the IPL, boosting global viewership and engagement.
IPL 2026 Auction Date and Venue
- Date: December 16, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM IST
- Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
- Auction Type: One-day mini-auction
- Purse: ₹151 crore (total pool for all teams)
- Retention Deadline: November 15, 2025, 5 PM IST
- Abu Dhabi has become a preferred venue for the IPL auctions due to its world-class facilities and global accessibility. This year, the auction will feature 1,355 registered players, with 45 players in the ₹2 crore base price bracket. Kolkata Knight Riders will have the biggest purse of ₹64.3 crore, while Mumbai Indians will have the lowest at ₹2.75 crore
IPL 2026 Auction: What Fans Should Know
- This is the third time the IPL auction is being held overseas, highlighting the league’s global appeal.
- The auction will feature a record number of players, increasing the chances of new talent making it to the IPL.
- Teams will use their purses strategically to fill gaps in their squads, leading to intense bidding and exciting team combinations.
- The auction will be live-streamed, allowing fans to follow the action in real-time.
The BCCI has officially announced that the IPL 2026 Mini Auction will kick off at 2:30 PM IST on December 16th.#IPL2026 #IndianPremierLeague #IPLAuction #BCCI #TATAIPL #TATAIPLAuction #CricketFans #CricketLovers #CricketHighlights #CricketUpdates #Cricket pic.twitter.com/iBBpCSY3Yo
— IceCricNews (@icecric_news) December 9, 2025
Where to watch IPL 2026 Auction
The IPL 2026 auction can be watched live on Star Sports Network, which will broadcast the event on multiple channels including Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, and Star Sports 1 Hindi HD. For online viewers, the auction will be streamed live on JioHotstar (now known as Jiostar), making it accessible on mobile, TV, and web platforms. Fans can also follow real-time updates and highlights on the official IPL website and YouTube channel.
