The IPL 2026 Auction is scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, with 10 franchises bidding to fill 77 vacant squad slots from a shortlist of 350 registered players. With the mega‑event kicking off at 2:30 PM IST, fans can watch live on JioTV/Hotstar and Star Sports.
IPL 2026 Auction Timing Announced
New Delhi: The Indian Premier League (IPL), the world's most popular and controversial T20 cricket league, is gearing up for its 19th edition. The IPL 2026 auction is scheduled to be held on December 16th at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. This auction is particularly significant as it takes place after the T20 World Cup and represents the last opportunity for teams to finalize their 25-member squads.
Initially, a total of 1355 players registered for the auction, but the BCCI shortlisted the list to 350 players after the selection process. While 350 players are on the list, only 77 slots are vacant and available for bidding. Most teams have retained or traded their core players, so the main objective of the auction will be to fill these remaining slots.
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Teams have varying budgets or 'purses'. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have the largest budget at ₹64.3 crore, while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have ₹44.4 crore. Five-time champions Mumbai Indians have only ₹2.75 crore left in their purse, which will likely force them to focus on uncapped and inexpensive players. It will be exciting to see which team acquires which player and how the team compositions change.
The auction will begin at 2:30 PM Indian Standard Time. Fans can watch it live on JioTV/Hotstar, while Star Sports Network will broadcast the event on television. This is not just a process of buying and selling players, but a grand spectacle of team strategies, players' futures, and immense excitement for cricket fans. Focus on Young Talent and Uncapped Players
Experts believe that this auction will not only focus on big names, but also on team balance, giving opportunities to young talent, and creating the right mix in the squad. Many young players who have shone in domestic and league cricket will enter big teams through this auction and can take their careers to new heights. Uncapped and new players will also be a major attraction of this auction.
Teams with smaller budgets may see these players as an investment for the future, while larger teams will try to bid on experienced and match-winning players. The excitement, unexpected decisions, and strategies of this auction will be memorable for fans and experts alike. Team balance, the right mix of batsmen and bowlers, the role of all-rounders, and captaincy skills will play a crucial role during the auction.
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The IPL auction is not just an opportunity for players to be sold. It is also an opportunity to bring young talent to the forefront, create balanced squads for teams, and shape the future of Indian cricket. The strategic decisions of the teams, the dramatic moments of bidding, and the selection of players in the December 16th auction will prove exciting and significant for the entire cricket world.
The IPL 2026 auction is bringing new opportunities and new hopes for Indian cricket. Now it will be interesting to see which team includes which player in its squad and how this auction will make history in the world of Indian cricket and T20 leagues.
