The IPL 2026 auction is set for December 15, with the event likely returning to India after two consecutive overseas editions. All ten franchises are now racing to finalize their retention lists before the November 15 deadline.​

Auction Date Confirmed

According to Times of India, December 15 has been locked in as the date for the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The timing comes exactly a month after franchises must submit their retention and release lists on November 15.​

The choice of a Monday raised some eyebrows, as a weekend date would typically attract more viewership. However, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy schedule likely influenced this decision—120 of the 125 matches will be completed by December 14, allowing players to participate in the domestic tournament before the auction.​

Back to India

The biggest change this year is the venue. After holding the last two auctions overseas—Dubai in 2023 and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2024—the BCCI appears set to bring the event back to Indian soil. However, no official decision has been taken yet, and the board hasn’t confirmed which city will host.​

Earlier reports suggested Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Qatar were under consideration, with the Gulf continuing as the preferred region. But recent developments indicate a shift toward an Indian venue, marking the first time since the 2022 auction in Bengaluru that India will host the event.​

November 15 Retention Deadline

Franchises face a crucial deadline on November 15 when they must announce which players they’re keeping and which they’re releasing. This two-week window before the auction gives teams time to strategize their spending plans based on their available purse.​

Teams are currently weighing tough decisions. Reports suggest several established players are on the chopping block as franchises look to restructure their squads.​

WPL Auction in Delhi

The Women’s Premier League auction will take place earlier, on November 27 in Delhi. This marks the first mega auction in the tournament’s history since its inaugural edition.​

Key players have already been retained. India’s World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians), vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), and teammates Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma (both Delhi Capitals) will all continue with their franchises.​

Teams Under Pressure

The 2026 auction will be particularly crucial for Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, who finished last and second-last respectively in IPL 2025. Both franchises need significant squad overhauls to bounce back.​

CSK have already added Rs 9.75 crore to their budget following Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from the IPL. The spinner announced his retirement after a disappointing 2025 season—his homecoming year with CSK after being bought for Rs 9.75 crore.​

Reports suggest CSK are considering releasing several players, including Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, and Devon Conway. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad faces pressure to reshape the squad after multiple players underperformed.​

RR’s Samson Situation

Rajasthan Royals are dealing with uncertainty around captain Sanju Samson, who has been the subject of intense trade speculation. Reports linking him to Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have created questions about the team’s leadership heading into the auction.​

If Samson is indeed traded before November 15, RR will need to find a new captain and potentially rebuild their batting core. The franchise finished second-last in 2025 and cannot afford another poor showing.

RCB’s Title Defense

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru face a different challenge—how to maintain their winning formula while staying within budget constraints. Captain Rajat Patidar will continue leading the side after guiding them to their maiden title in 18 years.​

RCB replaced Faf du Plessis with Patidar ahead of the 2025 season, and the decision paid off spectacularly. Now they must balance retaining key players with the flexibility to address any weaknesses exposed during the season.

Trade Window Activity

Despite widespread speculation about trades involving Samson, KL Rahul, and Washington Sundar, no deals have been confirmed yet. The trade window remains open until the retention deadline, giving teams five more days to finalize any swaps.​

Trading allows franchises to acquire players without going through the auction, often at predetermined salaries. However, all parties—including the player—must consent to the trade for it to proceed.

What to Expect

As a mini-auction, the 2026 event will be smaller than the 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah. Fewer players will be available since teams can retain most of their squads. However, the auction remains crucial for teams looking to fill specific gaps or add depth.

With the IPL 2026 season just four months away, franchises are racing against time to build championship-contending squads. The next week will reveal which players stay, which go, and which teams are willing to gamble on major changes.