IPL Auction 2026: Date, Venue & All You Need to Know

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction 2026 is one of the most anticipated cricket events of the year, where franchises bid to secure the best talent ahead of the upcoming season. Every team aims to build a balanced squad that can compete for the coveted IPL trophy.

🗓 When & Where Did the Auction Happen?

The IPL 2026 player auction took place on 16 December 2025.
The venue for this edition was Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) — marking the third consecutive year the IPL auction was conducted outside India. NDTV Sports+1

📍 Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
📅 Date: 16 December 2025
🕝 Start Time: Around 2:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) Wikipedia

Holding the auction in Abu Dhabi adds an international flavor to the IPL’s pre-season drama and reflects the league’s global appeal. India Tribune – Chicago –

💰 What Type of Auction Was It?

Unlike a mega auction, where massive numbers of players go under the hammer, the IPL 2026 auction was a mini-auction. Teams entered with retained players and filled only the remaining slots — making every bid strategic and crucial. IPL

🔥 What Happened at the Auction?

A large pool of players — including both Indian stars and overseas talent — was available for bidding, with teams fighting to strengthen weak areas. Hindustan Times
With only 77 slots open across 10 franchises, competition was fierce. IPL
Several high-profile names like Cameron Green, Venkatesh Iyer, and David Miller were tipped to attract big bids and spark bidding wars. The Economic Times

📺 How Fans Followed It

Cricket lovers around the world tuned in to watch the auction live:
✨ On TV via the Star Sports Network
✨ Online streaming on JioHotstar and other digital platforms The Times of India