A total of 408 players from 101 cities will go under the hammer as eight franchises gear up to build their squads for the upcoming season.
408 players, six categories for ISPL 2026 auction
According to an official ISPL release, the 2026 auction is scheduled for December 9, featuring 408 players. Of these, 400 players earned their spots through extensive nationwide trials, while each franchise will additionally select one scout player from the existing Season 3 registered pool — taking the total count to 408.
Players in the auction will be grouped into six categories:
- Under-19
- West Zone
- East Zone
- Central Zone
- South Zone
- North Zone
As reported by ANI, the base price for all players is ₹3 lakh, and each franchise will now have an expanded purse of ₹1.5 crore. Squad sizes have also increased, with teams now allowed to pick 18 players instead of 16.
ISPL Core Committee Member and legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar called Season 3 an “important step for grassroots cricket” in India. He expressed excitement about the talent that will emerge, adding that he is eager to see how young players showcase their skills on the big stage.
The ISPL 2026 season will run from January 9 to February 6, with all matches set to be played at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat.
