IPL 2025 Auction Dates & Venue: When & Where Will The IPL Mega Auction Take Place?

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention deadline fast approaching, the attention now switches to the IPL Mega Auction as the 10 teams look to finalize their squads for the next cycle.

The anticipation among fans and the cricketing world for the big IPL auction had been very high ever since the 2024 season came to an end in May when Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final to clinch their third IPL title.

The IPL Governing Council announced the player regulations for the 2025-27 cycle, including the much-awaited retention rules, only in September, giving the 10 franchises at least a month and few days to sort out their retained players list.

There was much speculation about the number of players allowed to be retained after IPL chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed that a mega auction will be held before next year's Indian Premier League - IPL 2025.

While the retention rules is clear, there is still no confirmed dates or venue booked. But, in all likelihood the auction will be held outside India for the second year in a row. So, when will the bidding day happen and where could it happen? Here is all you need to know:

When will IPL 2025 Auction Take Place?

The next IPL Mega Auction will be a two-day process like in 2022. In 2022, the auction took place in February, while the 2023 and 2024 auctions were held in December. But, the IPL 2025 Auction date has been brought forward to November 2024.

Several dates have been doing the rounds on the internet with the auction likely to be held in the last week of November. Earlier reports suggested, the IPL Mega Auction 2025 could be held on November 23 and 24, and even on November 30.

However, a recent report by CricBuzz reveals the auction may coincide with the India vs Australia Border Gavaskar Trophy 1st Test, which is scheduled to begin on November 22 in Perth. The report adds the IPL Auction date could be held on November 24 and 25.

Where will IPL Mega Auction take place?

The last IPL Mega Auction 2022 was held in Bengaluru at a private hotel, while the 2023 and 2024 editions were held in new locations - Kerala and UAE respectively. The 2024 auction was the first time, the bidding process was held outisde India as it was staged in Dubai.

It is very clear that the upcoming big auction also will be held outside India with Singapore, London, Dubai being considered. But the recent report from CricBuzz suggests Riyadh in Saudi Arabia is likely to be the venue for the IPL Auction 2025.

When is the retention deadline day before IPL auction 2025?

The retention deadline is on October 31, 2024, at least a month ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. All ten teams will reveal their retained and released players list on that day, possibly in a live show on Star Sports and JioCinema.

The deadline time could be around 5 PM Indian Standard Time like the last edition when there was much drama with Hardik Pandya moving to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans, and Cameron Green moving to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in cash-only trade deals.

Is there a tade window before IPL 2025 Auction?

There is no information on the trade window before the next IPL, but it usually opens a month before the auction and closes for a week heading into the auction. The window usually reopens the day after the auction and runs until a month before the season starts.