The countdown to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction has started, and fans and franchises are ready for another thrilling player selection event. Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet officially announced the schedule, reports have indicated that the auction will take place between December 13 and 15, 2025. This year's auction is expected to go back to India, a change after consecutive foreign auctions, Dubai in 2024 and Jeddah in 2025. The BCCI is expected to conduct the auction at home for convenience, reports have said. Prior to auction, IPL franchises need to submit their list of retention and release by November 15, which shall be the first critical milestone in the player recruitment process. After teams finalize their lists, the BCCI will prepare the list of registered players and finalize names for final auction. Also Read | Will Sanju Samson Join CSK Before IPL 2026? RR Skipper Drops Major Hint Who Can Register for IPL 2026 Mini-Auction? The IPL 2026 mini-auction has a rigorous set of eligibility criteria. Although cricketers from all ICC member countries (excluding Pakistan) are eligible to register, there are specific conditions for Indian players and overseas players. Indian Players Domestic registration: All Indian players need to be registered with a BCCI-affiliated state cricket association. Experience requirement: Players can be considered if they have played in one first-class or List A match. Under-19 players: India's U-19 young cricketers can register only if they've participated in a senior domestic match prior to the auction. Age cap: There isn't an official age cap, though those under 16 are seldom sanctioned unless they've played senior-grade domestic cricket. A recent case is Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who was in the news after playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 at the mere age of 14. Overseas Players Nationality: Cricketers from all ICC member nations, excluding Pakistan, are eligible. Board registration: They must be registered with their home cricket board and have played at least one first-class or List A match. NOC requirement: A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective boards is mandatory before registration. Also Read | CSK, DC, LSG, KKR to Release Big Names Ahead of IPL 2026 Auction How to Register for IPL 2026 Mini-Auction The IPL player registration process is fully managed through the BCCI’s official online portal. Step 1: Registration of players: The eligible players fill up the official IPL registration form, which is handed to them by their respective cricket boards. Step 2: Confirmation: All credentials, match history, and eligibility of every player are confirmed by the board prior to being submitted to the IPL Governing Council. Step 3: Final list: After registration is closed, the BCCI publishes a list of all registered players, which is then culled into a final shortlist sought by franchises. Only these shortlisted players form the auction pool from which teams can bid. With the IPL 2026 mini-auction set to introduce a few new faces and possible comebacks, excitement is visible among fans and teams alike as preparations reach fever pitch.