IPL 2026 Set for March 26–May 31; Auction Kicks Off in Abu Dhabi

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will be held from March 26 to May 31, continuing the tournament’s traditional window in the early Indian summer. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to release the full fixture list, the season will begin roughly three weeks after the conclusion of the men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

For the second consecutive year, the IPL will overlap with the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is set to take place from March 26 to May 3, potentially creating scheduling challenges for international players participating in both leagues.

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IPL Auction 2026 Underway

The IPL player auction began on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, with 369 players shortlisted for selection across franchises. A total of 77 squad slots are available, including 31 spots for overseas players.

• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have the most vacancies, with 13 slots open.

• Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) follow with 10 available spots.

• In terms of remaining budget, KKR also have the largest purse at ₹64.30 crore (≈US$7.1 million), while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hold ₹43.40 crore (≈US$4.8 million).

Teams have been finalizing strategies based on retained and released players, announced in mid-November, and the auction will determine final rosters ahead of the March kickoff.

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Last Season Recap

The IPL 2025 final was held on June 3, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) claimed their first IPL title with a thrilling six-run victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad. That win ended RCB’s long wait for a championship and sets high expectations for the defending champions in 2026.