IPL 2026 Mini Auction Overview
The anticipation for the IPL 2026 mini auction is rising with each passing day, with fans and cricket experts speculating on possible trades, releases, and retentions of players ahead of the upcoming season. The pre-auction trade window will give the 10 IPL teams the perfect opportunity to rethink previous decisions, rearrange their current squads, and plan for future buys. Notably, the mini auction, unlike the mega auction, allows teams with a limited pool of players to choose from. With a smaller budget, franchises can readjust the core, bring in replacements, or select backups. So let’s know about IPL 2026 Mini Auction Rules and Complete Details.
IPL Auction 2026: Date and Place
The IPL 2025 mega auction took place on November 24-25, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The IPL 2026 auction, however, is scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Previously, Mumbai and Delhi were contenders to host the auction. Teams are expected to submit their retention and release lists by November 15, marking the first step in the auction process. Once the retention deadline passes, BCCI will finalize the list of registered players and confirm the auction pool.
IPL Mega Auction vs IPL Mini Auction
Before diving into the 2026 mini auction rules, it is essential to understand how mega and mini auctions differ.
Right to Match (RTM) Card
In the IPL mega auction, teams can use RTM to retain a released player by matching the highest bid. If a team retains six players, they have no RTM card; five retentions give one RTM card, and four retentions allow two RTM rights. Teams cannot use RTM in the Mini Auction.
Retention Rules
In mega auctions, retentions are limited (for example, IPL 2025 allowed a maximum of six players, 5 capped + 1 uncapped). In the mini auction, teams can retain as many players as they wish depending on their remaining purse and squad composition.
Player Pool Size & Auction Purse
Mega auctions feature a large player pool and a significant auction purse. In 2025, the purse was ₹120 crore per team, up from ₹100 crore. In the mini auction, the purse varies depending on retentions and previous spending.
IPL 2026 Auction: Trade Window Explained
The trade window allows teams to shuffle their squads ahead of the mini auction. Teams can finalize trades, releases, and player swaps before the December 16 auction.
Updated Auction Rules for IPL 2026
Right to Match (RTM) Cards & Limit: Teams can buy back released players by matching the highest bid. This year, the highest bidder gets one final chance to raise their bid before the RTM card can be exercised.
Salary Cap & Auction Purse: Increased to ₹151 crore per franchise, a jump from ₹120 crore in 2025.
Player Compensation Structure: Players now have two pay components: 1) Auction purse; 2) Incremental performance pay, including a new match fee of ₹7.5 lakh per player per game, introduced for the first time.
Live Streaming of IPL 2026 Auction
Fans can watch the IPL 2026 mini auction live across multiple platforms, including the official IPL YouTube channel, ensuring everyone can witness the high-action bidding in real time.
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