IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Full Details on Rules, Retentions & Team Purse

IPL 2026 Mini Auction Format: How It Works and What to Expect

IPL is one of the most famous and viewed leagues in the world, which gives new players a chance to showcase their talent every year. As the IPL 2026 mini auction gears up, franchises are set to make strategies where their focus will be on filling the gaps and how they can build a strong and competitive squad within a limited budget. Below, we have covered how the auction will work and what we can expect in the upcoming IPL 2026 mini auction.

Mini Auction: How Mini Auction Will Work

The mini auction happens every year, where franchises have smaller pools of players, mainly focused on minor adjustments in the squad and bringing replacements or backups. The mini auction is completely different from the mega auction, as it involves a few player options, a small budget, and strategic selections. Let’s break down the process of a mini auction and how it will work.

1. Team Budget: In mini auctions, each franchise is given a small amount of budget, which will be around 90-100 crore. Instead of buying expensive players, the franchise will focus on minor changes in the batting and bowling lineup. 
2. Player Pool: The mini auction will feature new unseen indian players, foreign players, and sometimes the most expensive players who have been released from other franchises. However, in the mini auction, the player options are very less because each franchise wants to make only small changes in their team and does not prefer to buy any new or expensive players. 
3. Bidding Process: The bidding process itself is a strategic process where franchises bid on players against each other. As long as the teams are interested in a player, they place bids which increase the price of that player, and once a franchise buys that player, a particular amount will be deducted from their given budget. For example, In the last IPL season 2025, Rishabh Pant was the most expensive player who was sold out by LSG at a price of 27 CR.  

Key Steps in the Auction Process

The IPL mini auction consists of four major processes that each franchise will need to follow to build a good, competitive team.

1. Pre-Auction Decisions: Instead of buying famous names, franchises focused on their squad needs, replacements, or backups. Some teams preferred to keep the same team, while others wanted to give a chance to new talent who could become the upcoming star. 
2. Registration: Players from all over the world register their names in the IPL auction so that a franchise can buy them from the bidding.
3. Bidding Ceremony: The bidding ceremony mostly takes place in December, where the auctioneer starts announcing the names of players with their base price. Franchises raise their paddle if they are interested in a player. Each player who registers their name in the auction doesn't need to get sold out. Many players can remain unsold due to their poor performances or any injuries.  

IPL Mini Auction: What Can Expect

The IPL 2026 mini auction will bring new talent from all over the world and provide a stage for the uncapped players to showcase their talent. After RCB lifted the final trophy, all eyes are now on those players who gave outstanding performances during the season. Many franchises will target the top performers and want them to play in their teams. However, others will release the players who appeared inconsistent and failed to impress with their performance. 

Expected Dates of IPL 2026 Mini Auction

The IPL 2026 mini auction is expected to take place in December but the dates have not been announced yet. However, the auction registration will start from December to January and the auction ceremony is expected to be held in the first week of January or might be in the middle. Last time the venue ceremony was held at Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and for 2026, the auction ceremony is expected to take place in India mostly in Mumbai, Kolkata or Hyderabad.

What’s New in the Auction for 2026?

The auction of IPL is followed by some rules and regulations which are likely to stay the same as they have. However, we can expect small changes in which teams can retain or use RTM on up to 6 players.

1.  Salary Cap: It is expected that in the IPL 2026 auction, the salary caps can be increased up to 150 CR.
2. New Talent might get a chance: As the mini auction needs strategic decisions, many franchises will go with new uncapped players, instead of buying overrated players. 

Conclusion

The IPL 2026 mini auction is on the way, and all eyes are now on franchises' decision whether they will go with old, outdated players or give a chance to upcoming youth. This IPL season, many hearts can break as their favorite players from their favorite teams might change. However, we will get a chance to see new faces who can bring a new wave to the world of cricket.