Key takeaways
- The retention deadline has been moved two days, from 15 to 17 November 2026; franchises were told on 2 November.
- A one-day mini-auction is reported for 16 December 2026 in Goa — the last before a mega auction ahead of 2028.
- Four trades are done so far, including Hardik Pandya to Punjab Kings for Arshdeep Singh and Rishabh Pant to Delhi for Kuldeep Yadav.
- Season dates are not confirmed; the earmarked window is 14 March to 30 May 2027.
Key dates at a glance
| What | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Retention lists due | 17 November 2026 (was 15 November) | Reported; franchises informed on 2 November, no public BCCI release |
| Player registration closes | 23 November 2026 | Reported |
| Franchises submit auction shortlists | 1 December 2026 | Reported |
| Final auction list released | 3 December 2026 | Reported |
| Trade window closes | 9 December 2026 | Reported (one week before the auction) |
| Mini-auction, Goa | 16 December 2026 | Reported; venue and date indicated by the BCCI secretary |
| Trade window reopens | After the auction, until one month before the season | IPL trading rules |
| IPL 2027 season | 14 March – 30 May 2027 earmarked | Not confirmed; a late-March start has been indicated |
The retention deadline was originally 15 November, the day of the fifth India–New Zealand ODI; it was moved by two days on 2 November. Full story: IPL 2027 retention last date extended to 17 November. The auction date has not changed. We will update this page when the BCCI publishes official dates.
What a mini-auction means
The December auction is a mini-auction: franchises keep most of their squads and use the auction to fill gaps left by released players. It is reported to be the last auction of the current cycle, with a mega auction — where squads are largely rebuilt — expected before the 2028 season. For how retentions, the overseas limit and the mini-auction pay cap work, see IPL squad and auction rules.
For fantasy players this is good news. Most core players stay with their teams, so what you learned about each side in 2026 still mostly applies. The changes to watch are the few big names released and where they land.
The retention deadline: what to watch on 17 November
Once retention lists are in, you will know which players each franchise has let go. Three things matter most for fantasy:
- Released captains and openers. A team that releases a top-order batter needs a replacement — and the replacement's batting position decides his fantasy value.
- Overseas slots. Teams can only field a limited number of overseas players, so releasing one overseas star can open a place for another.
- Wicket-keepers. A side without a settled keeper-batter will be hunting for one at the auction.
Trades already done
Four trades have been completed since the 2026 season:
- Rishabh Pant moved from Lucknow Super Giants to Delhi Capitals in June, at a reported revised fee of ₹15 crore, with wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav going the other way to Lucknow for a reported ₹13.5 crore.
- T Natarajan returned from Delhi Capitals to Sunrisers Hyderabad in October, at a reported ₹5 crore — down from the ₹10.75 crore Delhi paid for him at the 2025 auction — with uncapped leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari joining Delhi on his existing ₹40 lakh fee.
- Liam Livingstone (revised fee ₹6 crore, down from ₹13 crore) and Jack Edwards (₹3 crore) moved from Sunrisers Hyderabad to Chennai Super Kings on 5 November, with Khaleel Ahmed (₹4.8 crore) and Nathan Ellis (₹2 crore) going to Hyderabad — see CSK and SRH complete a four-player trade.
- Hardik Pandya moved from Mumbai Indians to Punjab Kings on 11 November at a revised ₹18 crore (up from ₹16.35 crore), with Arshdeep Singh joining Mumbai on his existing ₹18 crore — see Hardik Pandya traded to Punjab Kings.
The trade window stays open until a week before the auction, so more moves are possible. A player's new team changes his role, batting position and home ground — check all three before picking him next season.
When does IPL 2027 start?
Not confirmed yet. The window earmarked in the IPL's plans is 14 March to 30 May 2027, and the BCCI secretary has indicated the tournament could begin towards the end of March. Fixtures usually follow some weeks after the auction.
Last season in one line
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won IPL 2026, beating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final in Ahmedabad on 31 May 2026 — their second title in a row.
How to use the off-season
- Install the app early. Get the Drem11 APK now so you are not installing minutes before a deadline in March.
- Follow the retention lists on 17 November and note which teams need openers, keepers or overseas bowlers.
- Watch the auction on 16 December for players who change teams — their new role matters more than their price.
- Read the season playbook. Our IPL fantasy tips cover impact substitutes, double-headers and venues, and Drem11 IPL explains how IPL contests work in the app.
- Set a season budget before the first match, not after a bad week.
Sources
- IPLT20.com, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh complete major trade between PBKS and MI, 11 November 2026.
- ThePrint (PTI), Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad agree to four-player trade, 5 November 2026.
- The Tribune (ANI), IPL extends deadline for retention lists to November 17, 2 November 2026.
- CricTracker, BCCI shifts IPL 2027 retention deadline to November 17, 2 November 2026 (registration and auction-list dates).
- Business Standard, IPL 2027 auction in Goa on December 16; retentions due November 15: reports, 26 October 2026.
- CricTracker, BCCI fixes November 15 as IPL 2027 player retention deadline.
- Business Today, IPL 2027 auction: mini auction set for December 16 in Goa? All you need to know, 27 October 2026 (trade fees).
- India TV, IPL 2027 mini-auction set to clash with India vs Sri Lanka ODI, 26 October 2026.
- Wikipedia, 2026 Indian Premier League final.