The IPL 2026 retention deadline is coming soon, and all ten teams must share their final list of players they want to keep or release by November 15, 2025. This process, held in India before the mid-December auction, will decide which players stay with their current teams and which ones will go into the auction pool. It also helps the BCCI and franchises plan their budgets and team strategies for the next season.
What Are the IPL 2026 Retention Rules?
According to the reports, the IPL Governing Council has kept the rules simple and flexible for the 2026 season. Unlike a “mega auction” year, where teams are allowed to retain only a fixed number of players, this season follows the mini-auction format, meaning there is no cap on player retention.
Franchises can choose to retain as many players as they wish from their 2025 squads. They can also release any number of players before the deadline. This allows teams to maintain their core group while freeing up money in their purse for new signings.
1. Retention and Release Deadline
- All teams must share their list of players they want to keep or release by November 15, 2025.
- After that, the trading window will stay open until one week before the auction, allowing teams to swap players or make cash trades.
2. Unlimited Retentions
- Teams can keep as many players as they want, there’s no limit this year.
- This rule applies to Indian capped players, overseas players, and uncapped domestic players.
- Franchises can also release well-known players if they want to free up more money in their purse.
3. Squad Size and Salary Cap
- Each franchise can have up to 25 players in their final squad.
- The total purse (or team budget) for IPL 2026 is about ₹120 crore.
- How much each team can spend in the auction will depend on how much money remains after retaining players.
4. Auction Date
- The mini-auction for IPL 2026 is likely to take place in mid-December 2025, around December 15-16.
- This will be the last opportunity for teams to strengthen their squads before the season starts in March 2026.
Also read: IPL 2026: Is Ravindra Jadeja the Next Captain of Rajasthan Royals?
Why the Rule Change Matters
The 2026 retention policy gives franchises more control and stability. By removing the retention cap, the IPL aims to help teams build long-term cores rather than reshuffling every few seasons.
This flexibility also allows teams to manage their purse space smartly, some may keep almost the entire squad intact, while others could release underperforming players to rebuild.
For players, it opens up more options:
- Retained players enjoy stability and higher loyalty value.
- Released players can attract bigger bids at auction if multiple teams show interest.
Strategic Impact on Teams
Franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru may retain most of their core, while teams that underperformed in 2025, such as Lucknow Super Giants or Rajasthan Royals, could make bold changes.
The unlimited retention rule also means popular players, like Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, or Ruturaj Gaikwad, are more likely to stay with their current franchises, unless traded for strategic reasons.
Summary of IPL 2026 Retention Rules
| Category | Details |
| Retention/Release Deadline | November 15, 2025 |
| Auction Date | Mid-December 2025 (expected Dec 15-16) |
| Maximum Retentions Allowed | Unlimited |
| Squad Size Limit | Up to 25 Players |
| Salary Cap | Around ₹120 crore |
| Trading Window | Open until one week before auction |
Conclusion
The IPL 2026 retention rules mark a new phase in the league’s evolution, focused on stability, flexibility, and strategy. With no restriction on the number of players a team can retain, every franchise now faces a crucial choice: stick with their trusted core or start fresh before the December auction.
The upcoming week will be decisive, as fans eagerly await which big names will stay, and which ones will go under the hammer once again.
Written by Kinjal Walantra