Abu Dhabi is likely to host the upcoming player auction for IPL 2026, as per a report from IANS quoting sources. The news agency said the event is likely to take place in the Middle Eastern city on December 16.
While previous reports mentioned December 14 as the preferred dates, the managing committee is likely to host it on December 16.
This will be third consecutive time the player auction will be staged overseas. The previous two auctions were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
India’s Bengaluru and Mumbai had emerged as preferred locations earlier, but Abu Dhabi was chosen as it’s more convenient for the foreign support staff, owing to their current stints, reports said.
Meanwhile, the teams have till November 15 to finalise their retentions.
Inaugural winners Rajasthan Royals and 5-time champion Chennai Super Kings could enter a deal, involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson.
Wicketkeeper-batter Samson could move to CSK, while Jadeja, who was part of the champion RR side in the first edition of the tournament, could don the Rajasthan jersey once again.
