IPL 2026 Retention rules explained: Total purse, squad size, and where to watch live

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its next season, and the first major step, the player retention process, is already underway. This is the period where franchises like CSK, MI, and RCB make the tough decisions about which stars to keep and which to release ahead of the mini-auction.

Also Read: RCB Retention list ahead of IPL 2026: Who will the Defending Champions let go?

Here is everything you need to know about the deadlines, the money available, the rules, and how you can catch all the action live.

The Big Picture: What to Expect

This year’s player shuffling will be dominated by a mini-auction, which is far more flexible than the massive player overhaul seen in a mega-auction. For the teams, this means stability and a chance to stick with their core winning combinations.

Retention Deadline: November 15, 2025

Auction Date: Mid-December (Likely December 13 – 16, 2025)

Auction Type: Mini-Auction

Retention Rules Explained: Flexibility is Key

The most exciting news for team managers and fan bases this year is the absence of a strict retention limit. Unlike the mega-auction cycle (which usually happens every three to four years), where teams can only retain a fixed number of players, the IPL 2026 retention rules offer maximum flexibility.

No Retention Cap: There is no restriction on the number of players a franchise can retain from its current squad. Teams can keep as many Indian, overseas, or uncapped players as they wish. This is different from the Mega Auction format that was in effect last season.

While teams are free to keep players, they must operate within two strict financial and logistical limits. Those are the total salary purse and the maximum squad size. This means a successful franchise, like the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) or Punjab Kings (PBKS), who were the Runners-up, can choose to keep most of its core squad if they have the budget.

Total Purse & Squad Size

Every IPL franchise has a specific budget to build and pay its squad, along with a limit on how many players it can actually sign.

Total Purse/Salary Cap: The salary cap for all ten franchises in the IPL 2026 auction is set at INR 120 crore.

Any amount spent on retaining players will be deducted from this ₹120 crore purse. The remaining amount is what the franchise will take into the auction to bid on new players. Teams must strategically balance their retained salaries to ensure they have enough cash to fill the rest of their squad.

Squad Size Limit: The maximum limit for a full squad remains unchanged. Each franchise can have a maximum of 25 players on its roster for the upcoming season.

When and Where to Watch the Retention Action Live

The retention deadline is just the first step. The real drama unfolds during the player auction itself, where the released players go under the hammer. The IPL 2026 Retention event (the formal announcement of retained lists) will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network channels. For viewers who prefer watching on the go, the entire event will be live-streamed on the JioHotstar App.