The BCCI has officially announced that the IPL 2026 mini auction will take place on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, marking another major overseas event for the league. The confirmation came on the same day all ten franchises submitted their 2026 retention lists.
This will be the first IPL auction hosted in Abu Dhabi, further strengthening the league’s growing presence in the Gulf region. The announcement also aligns with earlier reports indicating that the board had been considering a mid-December date for the auction in the Middle East.
Franchises Receive ₹237.55 Crore Total Purse for Auction.
Following the completion of retention formalities, the BCCI confirmed that teams will have a combined purse of ₹237.55 crore for the upcoming auction. As things stand, 77 squad spots are available across the ten teams — including 31 overseas slots.
The purse distribution suggests a dramatic and potentially aggressive bidding day for certain franchises, while others will be forced into more targeted, strategic spending.
Team-wise Auction Purse and Remaining Slots
| KKR | 12 | 13 | 6 | ₹64.3 Cr |
| CSK | 16 | 9 | 4 | ₹43.4 Cr |
| SRH | 15 | 10 | 2 | ₹25.5 Cr |
| LSG | 19 | 6 | 4 | ₹22.95 Cr |
| DC | 17 | 8 | 5 | ₹21.8 Cr |
| RCB | 17 | 8 | 2 | ₹16.4 Cr |
| RR | 16 | 9 | 1 | ₹16.05 Cr |
| GT | 20 | 5 | 4 | ₹12.9 Cr |
| PBKS | 21 | 4 | 2 | ₹11.5 Cr |
| MI | 20 | 5 | 1 | ₹2.75 Cr |
KKR and CSK Lead the Purse Charts, MI at the Bottom
The Kolkata Knight Riders head into the auction with the largest available purse — ₹64.30 crore — after releasing several high-profile names, including Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer. Their aggressive release strategy has opened a significant window for major acquisitions on auction day.
The Chennai Super Kings hold the second-highest purse at ₹43.40 crore, positioning them well for impactful signings as they shape their post-Dhoni era squad.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Mumbai Indians, who retained 20 players, will enter the auction with the smallest purse — ₹2.75 crore. With limited funds available, MI will likely focus on filling specific gaps rather than making big bids.
What to Expect on Auction Day
With 77 slots up for grabs, the auction promises intense competition for overseas stars, uncapped Indian talent, and match-winning T20 specialists.
Teams like KKR, CSK, and SRH — carrying large purses — are expected to dominate the marquee rounds, while franchises like MI, GT, and PBKS may prioritise strategic low-cost options.
The decision to host the event in Abu Dhabi reflects IPL’s sustained push towards international expansion, taking the league’s commercial and entertainment value beyond Indian borders.
What’s Next?
Franchises will now finalize their scouting inputs and auction strategies before heading to the Etihad Arena on December 16. The complete list of retained and released players, as well as the auction order, will be released by the BCCI in the coming days.
The IPL 2026 mini auction is shaping up to be one of the most strategic and unpredictable auctions in recent seasons — with massive rebuilds, budget disparities, and global attention adding to the anticipation.