IPL Auction 2026: Mega Bonanza or Mini Affair?

The auction for the 2026 IPL season is set to take place on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. During this event, the 10 franchises will compete to fill 77 available slots as they aim to bolster their squads in the quest for the championship.

This year’s auction is a mini-auction, allowing teams the flexibility to retain any number of players beforehand, unlike the mega auctions, which occur every three to four years and require franchises to re-enter most of their squad members into the auction pool. The last such mega auction took place ahead of the 2025 season.

The limited slots typical of mini-auctions often result in higher bidding prices, as teams prioritize filling specific roster gaps over overhauling entire squads.

Past mini-auctions have demonstrated this trend, with record-breaking bids made for top players. In 2023, Sam Curran was acquired by Punjab Kings for Rs. 18.50 crore, setting a record at the time. This was surpassed in the following auction when Mitchell Starc was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs. 24.75 crore, although the all-time record now belongs to Rishabh Pant. Interestingly, Starc’s acquisition occurred shortly after compatriot Pat Cummins became the most expensive IPL player briefly, joining Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs. 20.50 crore.

Published on Dec 13, 2025