The Indus Zone Tech Desk | New Delhi, November 13, 2025 | IPL 2026 Auction to Be Held in Abu Dhabi on December 16
The wait is almost over for IPL fans! The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction will be held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, making it the third consecutive year that the prestigious cricket event takes place outside India.
According to reports from ESPNcricinfo, this year’s auction will be a mini auction, unlike the mega auction in 2025. The event will wrap up in a single day, setting the stage for another thrilling IPL season in 2026.
Third Consecutive Overseas IPL Auction
This upcoming auction in Abu Dhabi follows the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai and the mega auction in Jeddah in 2025. The move to host IPL auctions in Gulf nations highlights the league’s growing global appeal and strong fan base in the Middle East.
Franchises have been directed to submit their retained and released player lists from their 2025 squads by 3 PM IST on November 15. After that, teams will receive the list of registered players to shortlist from, and the final auction pool will be confirmed by the IPL governing body.
Active IPL Trade Window Before the Auction
The IPL trade window, which opened soon after the 2025 season ended, will remain active until a week before the auction. It will reopen again after the auction and stay open until one month before IPL 2026 begins.
However, franchises cannot trade any player bought during the upcoming auction, ensuring that teams stick to their finalized auction strategies.
High-Profile Trades Ahead of IPL 2026
The pre-auction trade window has already seen four confirmed player trades involving five franchises — some of which have shaken up the IPL landscape.
In one of the biggest swaps in IPL history, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) acquired Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals (RR). In exchange, RR received two experienced all-rounders — Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran — strengthening their squad balance for IPL 2026.
The trade window has also witnessed Mumbai Indians (MI) adding key players like Shardul Thakur from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat Titans (GT), signaling early intent to rebuild for the new season.
IPL 2026 Auction: What’s Next?
Once the player retention lists are submitted, the IPL governing council will release the official roster of registered players, followed by the final auction pool. Teams are expected to use this mini auction to address specific gaps in their squads rather than making wholesale changes.
With star trades already making headlines and international interest at an all-time high, the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi promises to deliver another round of excitement, strategy, and big-money signings.
Key Details at a Glance
Event: IPL 2026 Player Auction
Date: December 16, 2025
Venue: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Type: Mini Auction (Single Day Event)
Retention Deadline: November 15, 2025, 3 PM IST
Trade Window: Open until a week before the auction
