The IPL 2026 auction is scheduled for December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, starting at 1:00 PM UAE time (2:30 PM IST). This mini-auction features 350 shortlisted players after BCCI trimmed the initial 1,355 registrations by removing 1,005 names, with 35 new additions including Quinton de Kock at a Rs 1 crore base price. Teams have 77 slots to fill from a Rs 237.55 crore combined purse, setting the stage for intense bidding wars.
IPL 2026 Auction Overview and Highlights
Franchises finalized retentions by November 15, 2025, releasing players to refresh squads ahead of the 19th IPL season. Kolkata Knight Riders enter with the largest purse of Rs 64.3 crore and only 12 players retained, while Mumbai Indians have the smallest at Rs 2.75 crore with 20 players. Notable absentees include Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, and Moeen Ali, who opted out, alongside Andre Russell, now a KKR power coach. Big names like Cameron Green, Steve Smith, and Anrich Nortje headline the pool, with 45 players setting a Rs 2 crore base price.
The auction caps overseas player fees at Rs 18 crore, even if bids exceed it, with excess going to player welfare. Domestic additions like Vishnu Solanki and Sri Lankans such as Kusal Perera add depth. This one-day event, the third abroad in a row, promises strategic picks for balanced teams targeting playoffs.
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IPL 2026 Set-Wise Players Table
While official set-wise breakdowns (batches for auction order) await full BCCI release, the final 350-player shortlist groups high-profile stars into marquee-like categories based on base prices and roles. Below is a table of key players from top base price brackets (Rs 2 crore and Rs 1 crore), likely prioritized in early sets for maximum buzz.
Teams like CSK (Rs 43.4 Cr purse) and KKR may target all-rounders early, while RCB (Rs 16.4 Cr) eyes batsmen. Uncapped Indians dominate lower sets at Rs 30-75 lakh, offering value picks.
Purse Remaining All Teams Table
Purse leaders KKR could splurge on Green or Nortje, reshaping powerplay dynamics. RTM cards add unpredictability, favoring data-driven franchises.
