Overview:
Its close location to India, along with the capacity to manage large-scale sporting productions, ensures convenience for franchises and broadcasters.
The IPL 2026 auction is set to be held in Abu Dhabi around mid-December, according to India Today, with December 15 or 16 being the most likely date. The league’s governing council is still finalising the arrangements, and an official announcement is expected soon.
For the third straight year, the IPL auction will take place outside India, after Dubai hosted the 2024 edition and Jeddah staged the 2025 mega auction. Sources close to the franchises and officials involved in the planning have confirmed that Abu Dhabi has been chosen as the venue, continuing the league’s preference for holding major events in the Gulf.
The next IPL auction will be a mini-auction, coming after last year’s mega event in Saudi Arabia. Teams are likely to focus on selective additions instead of overhauling their squads entirely.
Abu Dhabi’s world-class facilities and proven track record in hosting major cricket events made it an ideal pick for the IPL 2026 auction. Its close location to India, along with the capacity to manage large-scale sporting productions, ensures convenience for franchises and broadcasters.
Franchises are busy finalising their retentions ahead of the November 15 deadline. Teams are expected to let go of a few high-priced players to free up budget.
Abu Dhabi will take centre stage as franchises, coaches, and talent scouts gather for strategic player picks ahead of the new season.