Abu Dhabi Hosts IPL 2026 Auction: Infrastructure & ILT20 Key Factors

• The IPL 2026 mini-auction is scheduled for December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, marking the third consecutive IPL auction held outside India.
• Abu Dhabi was selected due to its world-class infrastructure, smooth logistics, and accessibility, facilitating participation for franchises and officials.
• The ongoing International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE is a key factor, as several IPL-linked stakeholders are already in the region.
• Three ILT20 teams are owned by IPL franchises (Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians), simplifying coordination for the auction.
• The auction has 77 available slots for 369 players; KKR holds the highest purse (INR 64.3 crore), while MI has the smallest (INR 2.75 crore).

Why It Matters: Explains why IPL auctions are increasingly held outside India.