IPL 2026 Auction and RCB's Home Match Prospects

Upcoming IPL Season Details

The next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to take place from March 26 to May 31. A key point of interest is whether the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will host the opening match at their home ground in Bengaluru. According to the regulations, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is expected to be the venue for the first match since RCB clinched the IPL 2025 title.

Safety Concerns for the Venue

While the Karnataka state government has granted conditional approval for the venue, it must meet essential safety standards following a tragic incident during RCB's victory celebrations in June, where 11 fans lost their lives due to a stampede.

IPL 2026 Auction Insights

The mini-auction for IPL 2026 is set to occur today in Abu Dhabi, with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), three-time champions, entering with the highest budget. IPL teams released their lists of retained and released players in mid-November, and they are now gearing up for the auction on December 16, where 369 players have been shortlisted.

Available Slots and Team Budgets

There are a total of 77 slots available, including 31 for international players. KKR has the most vacancies with 13, followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with ten. After trades and retention, KKR also boasts the largest purse at INR 64.30 crore (approximately USD 7.1 million), while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) holds the second position with INR 43.40 crore (around USD 4.8 million).

RCB's Historic Win

RCB secured their first IPL title on June 3, 2025, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a thrilling final held in Ahmedabad.