The countdown to the IPL 2026 season has begun, and fans are excited to see which players their favorite teams will pick. The IPL 2026 mini-auction is expected to be held in 16 December 2025, with the event likely starting in the afternoon as per Indian timings. This short but action-packed auction will bring all teams together as they compete to sign top players and build a stronger squad for the new season.
IPL 2026 Auction Date and Time
The official IPL 2026 auction date has not been announced yet by the BCCI, but based on past seasons, the auction is expected to be held in:
- Expected Auction Date: 16 December 2025
- Expected Auction Time: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM (IST)
The IPL auctions are usually held in December, and the timing remains the same every year. Fans can expect a formal announcement a few weeks before the auction.
Live Telecast & Streaming
You can watch the IPL 2026 auction live on:
- Star Sports Network (India)
- JioCinema App & Website
- Hotstar (International Streaming)
IPL 2026 Mini or Mega Auction – What to Expect?
The 2026 season is expected to feature a mini auction, not a mega one. Mega auctions are usually conducted every three years, and the last mega auction happened in 2025. Therefore, teams will mostly retain their core players.
What to expect in IPL 2026:
- Limited player reshuffling
- More focus on young talent
- High demand for all-rounders
- Teams fixing remaining squad gaps
Mini auctions are short, fast, and exciting because franchises compete heavily for specialist players.
IPL 2026 Retained Players (Expected)
Each team is expected to retain 4–5 core players. Here are some possible retained players (expected):
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Matheesha Pathirana
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Hardik Pandya
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Suryakumar Yadav
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Virat Kohli
- Faf du Plessis
- Glenn Maxwell
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Shreyas Iyer
- Sunil Narine
- Rinku Singh
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Sanju Samson
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Trent Boult
Venue and Format of IPL 2026 Auction
The auction may take place in one of the following cities:
- Mumbai
- Dubai
- Bengaluru
The IPL 2026 auction is expected to be offline, where all 10 teams and auctioneers will be present physically.
Star Players to Watch in IPL 2026 Auction
Some big players may be available in the IPL 2026 auction pool:
- Rising U19 players
- Breakout stars from domestic tournaments
- Overseas T20 performers
- All-rounders (always in huge demand)
These players usually attract the highest bidding wars.
How Fans Can Watch IPL 2026 Auction Live
Fans can enjoy the IPL 2026 auction live through:
TV Channels
- Star Sports 1
- Star Sports Hindi
- Star Sports Select
Mobile & Streaming
- JioCinema (Free in India)
- Hotstar
- International IPL broadcasters depending on regio
FAQs
1. What is the IPL 2026 auction date?
The expected date is December 2025 or early January 2026.
2. What time will the IPL 2026 auction start?
It is expected to begin at around 3:00 PM IST.
3. Will IPL 2026 have a mega auction?
No, it is expected to be a mini auction.
4. Where can I watch the IPL 2026 auction?
On Star Sports and JioCinema.
5. What is the purse value for IPL 2026 auction?
Expected team purse is ₹100 crore+.