The IPL 2026 auction took place on 16 December 2025 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Although it carried the 2026 season name, the bidding happened in the previous calendar year. Cameron Green’s INR 25.20 crore bid was one of its headline moments.
This page reviews the auction’s date, announced player pool and key context. It replaces an earlier preview and is not a live auction tracker or a complete sold-player list.
IPL 2026 auction date, venue and key figures
| Detail | Official announcement |
|---|---|
| Auction date | 16 December 2025 |
| Venue | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi |
| Retention deadline | 15 November 2025 |
| Combined purse entering the auction | INR 237.55 crore |
| Available player slots | 77, including 31 overseas slots |
| Players in the 9 December shortlist announcement | 350 |
The purse and slot totals describe the position before bidding. They are not the final amount spent or a count of completed purchases.
Cameron Green’s INR 25.20 crore bid
The IPL’s official auction highlight records a winning bid of INR 25.20 crore for Cameron Green, describing him as the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history at that point. The earlier version of this article discussed a possible bidding war; that prediction has now been replaced with the recorded figure.
What the announced player list contained
In its 9 December 2025 announcement, the IPL listed 350 shortlisted players from 1,390 registrations. The shortlist comprised 240 Indian and 110 overseas players. It included 224 uncapped Indian and 14 uncapped overseas players.
These figures refer to that dated announcement. A shortlist identifies players available for bidding; it does not mean every listed player was bought.
How retention decisions shaped the auction
The official retention release recorded 173 retained players, including 49 overseas players. Kolkata Knight Riders entered with the largest available purse, INR 64.30 crore, and up to 13 places to fill.
When assessing an auction, compare a purchase with the team’s remaining budget and squad needs. A large bid alone does not demonstrate that a team has solved its batting, bowling or backup requirements.
Reading auction records accurately
- Keep reserve prices separate from winning bids.
- Label pre-auction purse figures and post-auction spending clearly.
- Check whether a player joined through retention, trade, auction or a later replacement announcement.
- Use match results to assess performance rather than treating a purchase price as proof of success.
For match coverage, see our SRH vs RR timeline. For checking fixture-day information, use the Hyderabad playing XI, pitch and weather guide.
Frequently asked questions
Was the IPL 2026 auction held in 2026?
No. The auction for the 2026 season was held on 16 December 2025.
Are the 77 available slots the same as 77 confirmed purchases?
No. Available slots describe pre-auction capacity. A completed sales record is needed to establish the final number bought.
