The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction has been scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, marking the tournament’s third consecutive overseas auction, according to ESPNcricinfo. This is the third time in a row that the IPL auction is being held overseas.
The IPL’s first overseas auction was held in Dubai in 2024, which was followed by the two-day mega auction for the 2025 season, conducted in Jeddah in November 2024. Unlike the mega auctions, the 2026 edition will follow the traditional mini-auction format, meaning the event will be completed in a single day.
The franchises have until November 15 to submit the list of retained and released players to the BCCI. After which, the BCCI will release a list of players who will be available during the mini-auction. Ahead of the auction, two trades have already taken place, with Mumbai Indians securing Shardul Thakur and Sherfane Rutherford in a trade from Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans, respectively.