The stage is set for the IPL 2026 auction, slated for Tuesday, December 16, in the vibrant city of Abu Dhabi. This crucial event will witness intense bidding as ten teams vie for supremacy in player acquisition. Significant player releases, including big names like Venkatesh Iyer, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra, have heightened expectations for a thrilling auction day. The bidding commences at 1 PM local time in Abu Dhabi, equivalent to 2:30 PM IST.
Out of an initial 1355 players, 369 have made the final auction cut, including fresh additions like Abhimanyu Easwaran. Team finances are a major talking point, with Kolkata Knight Riders possessing the largest purse of Rs. 64.30 crore. Chennai Super Kings (Rs. 43.40 crore) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rs. 25.50 crore) are also well-equipped. A total of 77 player slots are available to be filled across all teams. Kolkata Knight Riders lead with 13 vacancies, while Punjab Kings have only four.
This IPL auction is a mini-auction, meaning there’s no dedicated marquee set. However, an accelerated bidding process will kick in once the first 70 players have been successfully auctioned. Enthusiasts can tune into the live broadcast on Star Sports Network and enjoy live streaming via the JioHotstar platform.