IPL Auction Rules Explained — A Complete Guide
Learn the official IPL auction format and bring it to your local league.
How IPL Auctions Work
The IPL auction is one of cricket's most exciting events.
The Basics
Purse: Each team has a budget (₹90 crore in IPL). Can't exceed it.
Squad Limits: 18-25 players, max 8 overseas.
Base Price: Players set minimum bid (₹20 lakh to ₹2 crore in IPL).
Auction Process
- Auctioneer presents player: Name, role, base price
- Bidding opens: Teams raise paddles or click to bid
- Increments: Bids increase by set amounts (₹5L, ₹10L)
- Going once, twice, sold: Closes when no more bids
- Next player: Process repeats
Special Rules
Unsold: No bids at base = unsold (can re-enter at lower base).
RTM: Previous team can match winning bid to keep player.
Accelerated: Near end, multiple unsold players shown simultaneously.
IPL Rules You Can Enable in CricSmart
Purse Management
Set budgets, track spending, enforce limits
Right to Match
Enable RTM for previous teams
Trading Window
48-hour post-auction trading
Squad Limits
Set min/max roster sizes
Adapting for Your League
You don't need ₹90 crore budgets.
Small League (4-6 teams, 50-100 players)
- Purse: ₹50 lakhs
- Squad: 12-15 players
- Base prices: ₹50K to ₹5L
- No RTM (unless returning league)
Medium League (6-10 teams, 100-200 players)
- Purse: ₹1 crore
- Squad: 15-18 players
- Base prices: ₹1L to ₹10L
- RTM for 2 players per team
Corporate League
- Fun currency: ₹10 crore "CrickBucks"
- Keeps drama without real money stress
CricSmart supports all official IPL auction rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
How to Run a Cricket Auction — The Complete Guide
Step-by-step guide to organizing a successful cricket player auction. From player registration to post-auction trading.
Learn moreRight to Match (RTM) — IPL-Style Player Retention
Implement IPL-style Right to Match in your cricket auction. Previous team can match the winning bid to retain their player.
Learn morePost-Auction Trading Window — Trade Players Like the IPL
The only cricket auction platform with built-in trading window. Teams can propose bilateral player swaps after the auction ends.
Learn moreReady to Run Your Auction?
Free for leagues with under 5 teams. All features included.