BCCI to conduct IPL 2026 auction overseas again; Expected to finalize venue and dates by…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering moving the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction overseas, according to reports from Cricbuzz. Notably, the Indian cricket board has given preliminary information to Indian Premier League franchises, but no official confirmation has been made yet.

The Indian cricket team is currently in Australia for the five-match T20I series. However, attention is around the next Indian Premier League season, with reports on the retention deadline and a tentative auction schedule adding to the buzz. All ten franchises are allowed to make trade or cash deals during the off-season.

IPL 2026 Auction Likely in Mid-December; BCCI Expected to Finalize Venue and Dates by…

According to Cricbuzz, the IPL auction for the 2026 season is expected to take place in mid-December. Notably, the BCCI conducted the last two auctions in Dubai and Jeddah, respectively.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

The BCCI is likely to confirm both the venue and the dates by November 15, which is also the deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players.

Teams have not received an official communication, but they have been hinted that the auction will almost certainly be staged outside India. The Gulf region is currently the frontrunner, with Abu Dhabi emerging as a strong candidate, while Oman and Qatar are also under consideration.

"There appears to be a shift in thinking regarding the IPL auction venue, which is now likely to be held overseas. Although the franchises have not yet been officially informed about the city, they have surely been hinted about," the report read.

BCCI Forced to Conduct IPL Auction Overseas Despite Initial Plans to Host It in India

The BCCI had initially hoped to host the upcoming IPL auction in India, but they have been forced to reconsider. Notably, the dates clash with the peak wedding and festival period, making it difficult for the board to secure a suitable venue.

With these logistical hurdles piling up, the BCCI is now leaning towards shifting the auction overseas, even though they were keen to host it at home.

"The development is a clear departure from an earlier plan, when it appeared that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was keen to host the auction in India itself. However, there now seem to be challenges in securing an ideal venue, given that the identified window clashes with the festival and wedding season in the country," the report added.

IPL Teams Prepare for Mini-Auction as They Await Final Confirmation

IPL teams are preparing for the upcoming mini-auction while waiting for the Governing Council to officially confirm the dates.

Most sides are expected to make only minor adjustments rather than sweeping changes. However, Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could opt for major resets after finishing at the bottom last season.

Australia all-rounder Cameron Green could be one of the most sought-after players. After missing the previous auction due to injury, the Australian star is expected to spark an aggressive bidding battle.

Franchises are currently assessing their purse balance and squad composition to open up slots for targeted signings. The overall strategy across the league remains consistent - retain the core group, offload surplus players, and make role-specific upgrades.

Also read: Salman Ali Agha shamelessly places Pakistan beside India as To Team after losing thrice