The highly anticipated IPL 2026 player auction is expected to be held on December 15 or 16 in Abu Dhabi, according to recent reports. If confirmed, this would mark the third consecutive year the Indian Premier League auction is hosted outside India, continuing the trend of global venues for the marquee event.
As per sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is finalizing logistics for the event. All franchises have been instructed to submit their retained and released player lists by November 15, giving teams just a few weeks to finalize their strategies before the bidding war begins.
Hosting the auction in Abu Dhabi provides logistical advantages for international broadcasters and IPL support staff. The UAE has become a popular destination for major cricket events, having successfully hosted previous IPL seasons and other global tournaments.
While Abu Dhabi remains the frontrunner, earlier discussions included Mumbai and Bengaluru as potential host cities. However, sources close to the BCCI believe the final decision will favor Abu Dhabi, given its world-class infrastructure and experience in managing cricket mega-events.
As the auction date nears, excitement is building among fans and franchises. The upcoming IPL 2026 auction could see major player trades and surprise buys, reshaping team compositions ahead of the next season. If confirmed for December 15–16 in Abu Dhabi, this event will once again highlight the global appeal and ever-expanding footprint of the Indian Premier League.