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CRICKET 17 July 2026 ยท 11:15 IST 5 min read By Priya Subramanian

IPL 2026 auction salary cap rises 14% as franchises push for squad depth

The BCCI has confirmed a 14 percent bump to the IPL salary purse for the 2026 mini-auction, giving franchises the room to chase a deeper bench. Which sides benefit, which marquee names enter the pool and how the new Impact Player rule reshapes squad construction.

PS
Priya Subramanian Cricket correspondent

Sections

  1. The new purse
  2. Who benefits most
  3. The marquee names
  4. How Impact Player reshapes the auction
  5. The schedule
A cricket ball on a green outfield
The 2026 mini-auction is scheduled for mid-December.

The BCCI confirmed on Wednesday that the IPL salary purse for the 2026 mini-auction will rise to 16.5 million US dollars per franchise, a 14 percent increase on the 2025 purse. The move, which had been expected since the IPL governing council meeting in September, gives franchises the room to chase a deeper bench for the 2026 season.

The new purse

The new purse of 16.5 million dollars is the largest in IPL history. It represents a 14 percent increase on the 2025 purse of 14.5 million dollars, and a 38 percent increase on the 2024 purse of 12 million. The rise is driven by the new broadcast deal, which kicks in for the 2026 season and is worth 6.2 billion dollars over five years.

Each franchise will be allowed to retain up to four players from its 2025 squad, with the rest of the squad to be filled through the mini-auction. The auction is scheduled for mid-December, two months before the start of the 2026 season.

The new purse of 16.5 million dollars is the largest in IPL history. It represents a 14 percent increase on the 2025 purse and a 38 percent increase on the 2024 purse.

Who benefits most

The franchises that benefit most from the new purse are the ones that have the most retentions to make - the Mumbai Indians, the Chennai Super Kings and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, each of whom have at least six players whose retention would have stretched the 2025 purse. The new purse gives these franchises the room to retain more players without compromising on the auction budget.

The franchises that benefit least are the ones that have already released most of their squad - the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Lucknow Super Giants and the Gujarat Titans. These franchises will go into the auction with the largest budgets, but they will also have the most spots to fill.

The marquee names

The marquee names in the 2026 mini-auction pool are expected to include Rishabh Pant (if released by Delhi Capitals), KL Rahul (if released by Delhi Capitals), Shreyas Iyer (if released by Kolkata Knight Riders) and a clutch of overseas fast bowlers including Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada. The exact list will depend on retention decisions over the next two weeks.

The new purse is a recognition of the financial health of the league. It also reflects the new broadcast deal and the growth in sponsorship revenue.
- BCCI secretary, in a press statement

THE PURSE

2024: 12 million dollars. 2025: 14.5 million dollars. 2026: 16.5 million dollars. Total rise in three seasons: 38 percent. Number of retentions allowed: 4 (with right-to-match option for one more).

How Impact Player reshapes the auction

The Impact Player rule, introduced in 2023, has changed the way franchises construct their squads. The rule allows each side to substitute one player from a list of four nominated 'Impact Players' at any point in the innings. The result is that franchises now need a deeper bench of all-rounders, and the auction strategy has shifted accordingly.

The 2026 mini-auction will be the first under the new purse and the Impact Player rule combined. Expect franchises to focus on all-rounders - particularly Indian seam-bowling all-rounders - and on backup wicket-keepers who can bat in the middle order.

The schedule

The retention deadline is 30 November 2026. The mini-auction is scheduled for 14-16 December 2026. The 2026 IPL season is scheduled to start on 22 March 2026 and run through 24 May 2026, with the final scheduled for the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Editor's verdict

The 14 percent purse rise is a significant boost for the franchises, but the real story is the combination of the new purse and the Impact Player rule. The franchises that will benefit most are the ones that have already built deep squads - the Mumbai Indians, the Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders. The franchises that will struggle are the ones that have relied on a few star players and have not invested in depth. The 2026 mini-auction will be the first test of which franchises have learned the lesson.

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The wider context

The IPL is the richest cricket league in the world, with the 2025 season generating a broadcast revenue of 1.2 billion US dollars and a brand value estimated at 10 billion US dollars. The new broadcast deal, which kicks in for the 2026 season, is worth 6.2 billion dollars over five years - a 50 percent increase on the previous deal.

The 14 percent purse rise is the third consecutive increase. The 2024 purse was 12 million dollars, the 2025 purse was 14.5 million dollars and the 2026 purse will be 16.5 million dollars. Total rise in three seasons: 38 percent. The rise is in line with the increase in the broadcast deal and the growth in sponsorship revenue.

The Impact Player rule, introduced in 2023, has changed the way franchises construct their squads. The rule allows each side to substitute one player from a list of four nominated Impact Players at any point in the innings. The result is that franchises now need a deeper bench of all-rounders, and the auction strategy has shifted accordingly.

The 2026 mini-auction is scheduled for mid-December. The retention deadline is 30 November. The 2026 IPL season is scheduled to start on 22 March and run through 24 May, with the final scheduled for the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

CONTEXT AND WHAT COMES NEXT

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