IPL 2026 Auction: What is maximum fee rule for overseas players? Explained

Know the maximum overseas player cap rule for the IPL 2026 auction. Learn how many foreign players teams can buy, field in XI, and why the rule matters.

IPL trophy/ pic credit: @bcci/x

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is popular for the entertainment factor it provides to the fans through the performances of the Indian, as well as foreign players for around two months. There are several overseas players who have performed brilliantly over the past and have made a name for themselves in the tournament including Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Brendon McCullum, and many more.

There are instances where the overseas players have gained huge sum of money in the IPL auction. Hence, the franchise owners made a formal complaint to the IPL committee that the foreign players are delibarately registering during the mini auction to get the large sum of money.

The franchises have a cap on the purchase of foreign players in the IPL matches. A total of four players can play during a match, allowing the Indian talent to get a chance to perform in the tournament. Hence, the IPL committee wasn't happy with some franchises spending most of their money on foreign players.

What did IPL committee decide on 'maximum fee rule'?

Considering the past seasons, the IPL committee came to a conclusion that a cap of INR 18 crores will be imposed on the spending amount of the foreign players. The franchises cannot bid for more than the given amount of any overseas player in any auction.

The maximum a franchise can bid shouldn't exceed INR 20 crores. The extra INR 2 crores will go BCCI and will be utilised for player welfare. This 'maximum fee rule' was brought by BCCI last year to maintain a balance.

"Any overseas player's auction fee at small auction will be lower than the highest retention price [of INR 18 crore] and the highest auction price at the big auction. In case the highest auction price at the big auction is INR 20 crore, then INR 18 crore will be the cap. If the highest auction price at big auction is INR 16 crore, then the cap will be INR 16 crore," said a note to the franchises by IPL.

"The incremental amount over INR 16 or 18 crore, as the case may be, will be deposited with BCCI. The incremental amount deposited with BCCI will be utilised towards players' welfare."

When and where to watch the IPL 2026 auction?

Cricket fans in India can watch the IPL 2026 mini auction on December 16 from 1 PM onwards online on JioHotstar, via OTTplay Premium.

Also read: When and where to watch IPL 2026 auction live: Date, time, and streaming details

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