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The IPL 2026 auction is here! Big names like Russell and Pathirana are back on the block, KKR leads with a massive purse, and 77 slots are up for grabs. Who will shake up the squads this season? Read the article for full details.
The auctions for IPL 2026 will take place on December 16
New Delhi: The countdown to the IPL 2026 auction has begun, and excitement is at an all-time high as franchises prepare to finalize their squads. With several teams having released a large number of players, fans are eager to see who will find new homes in the upcoming season.
During the retention phase, franchises made some high-profile releases. Players such as Andre Russell, Matheesha Pathirana, Venkatesh Iyer, Devon Conway, David Miller, Rachin Ravindra, and Josh Inglis are now part of the auction pool. With scouting completed, the focus now shifts to the bidding war that will determine the composition of the teams for IPL 2026.
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The auction is scheduled as a one-day event on Tuesday, December 16. The proceedings will kick off at 1 PM local time in Abu Dhabi, which corresponds to 2:30 PM IST. Teams, fans, and cricket analysts alike are gearing up to witness the strategic selections that will shape the upcoming season.
Initially, 1,355 players were shortlisted for the auction, but this list was pruned to 350 players. An additional 19 names, including Abhimanyu Easwaran and Swastik Chikara, were added, bringing the total to 369 players eligible for bidding.
Following retentions, the Kolkata Knight Riders lead with the largest purse of Rs. 64.30 crore, followed by Chennai Super Kings (Rs. 43.40 crore) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rs. 25.50 crore). Mumbai Indians have the smallest purse at Rs. 2.75 crore.
Teams also have varying numbers of slots to fill during this mini-auction, with a maximum of 77 slots across all franchises. KKR has 13 slots, SRH 10, CSK and RR 9 each, DC and RCB 8 each, LSG 6, MI and GT 5 each, and PBKS 4 slots remaining.
Unlike larger auctions, there is no marquee player set for this mini-auction. After the first 70 players are sold, an accelerated round will commence, giving teams an opportunity to fill their remaining slots strategically.
Fans can catch the action live on the Star Sports Network, while online streaming will be available via JioHotstar app and website, ensuring enthusiasts don’t miss a moment of the high-stakes bidding.
As franchises battle it out for top talent, the IPL 2026 auction promises a thrilling start to the season, with teams reshaping their line-ups in pursuit of glory.
