For the third consecutive year, the IPL player auction took place abroad, with the 2026 mini-auction being held on December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal cited the logistics challenges in India during the peak wedding season in December as the reason.
Premium hotels and convention halls in big cities get booked well in advance for weddings, leaving not enough space for the big needs of the IPL – hundreds of rooms, secure facilities and broadcast setups for owners, broadcasters and global stakeholders. Bilateral cricket series cause scheduling conflicts.
Foreign venues, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are eager to host such events with ready infrastructure, hospitality and accessibility. Abu Dhabi operated seamlessly for the auction, which was watched by millions of people around the world.
Dhumal stressed the need for the IPL to grow as a global league – the second most valuable sports property in the world – which requires international recognition. Emerging markets bid to host, which encourages partnerships.
In contrast, the 2026 auction of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) was held in New Delhi. Its smaller scale – fewer teams, less media coverage, and fewer logistics – allows it to be held domestically without the same constraints. The facility is linked to the UAE’s ILT20 league, where several teams also have stakes in the IPL (e.g. MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), thereby maintaining a common presence of stakeholders.
77 players were sold in the auction, including a record overseas bid of ₹25.20 crore for Cameron Green to Kolkata Knight Riders. These changes prioritize the smooth running of the league and its popularity around the world rather than the traditional Indian venues.
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