IPL 2026 auction to be held in Abu Dhabi on 15 or 16th December: Sources

The upcoming auction for India Premier League 2026 will take place in Abu Dhabi in mid-December, with the final dates likely to be December 15 or 16, according to sources who spoke to India Today. The IPL governing council is currently finalising the logistics, and an official confirmation is expected in the coming days.

This will mark the third consecutive IPL auction to be held overseas, following Dubai for IPL 2024, and Jeddah for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Multiple franchise representatives and officials familiar with the discussions have confirmed that Abu Dhabi has been finalised as the venue, continuing the league’s trend of staging marquee events in the Gulf region.

The upcoming event will be a mini-auction, following last year’s mega auction in Saudi Arabia. Franchises are expected to make targeted signings rather than complete squad overhauls, with a focus on strengthening key positions such as death bowling, power-hitting, and backup options



for injured players.

Abu Dhabi’s strong infrastructure and experience in hosting international cricket tournaments made it a practical choice for the IPL 2026 auction. Its proximity to India and ability to handle large-scale sporting events also make it a convenient venue for both teams and broadcasters.

Teams are currently preparing their retention ahead of the November 15th deadline, and release lists ahead of the auction, as they look to balance budgets and improve squad depth. Several franchises are likely to release a few high-value players to create more flexibility before entering the bidding war.

Sources told India Today that a formal announcement confirming the venue and exact dates of the IPL 2026 auction is expected soon. Once confirmed, attention will turn to the UAE capital, where team owners, coaches, and scouts will gather for another high-stakes round of player selections that will shape the upcoming IPL 2026 season.