The IPL retentions are now complete, and all ten franchises have submitted their final lists of retained and released players ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction. Teams that performed well in IPL 2025 have kept most of their core players. Meanwhile, the teams that struggled at the bottom have released many names to rebuild their squads in the auction.
The mini auction is set for December 16. But many fans are asking an important question. Can IPL teams still make trades before the auction? The answer lies in the league’s trade window rules. The trade window for IPL 2026 opened on June 4, a day after the IPL 2025 final. This early start allows teams to make changes long before the new season begins.
IPL Rules Explain What Teams Can and Cannot Do Before Auction
According to IPL rules, the trade window stays open until one week before the mini auction. This means that teams can make trades until December 9. After that, no trades can be completed from December 10 to 16. The trade window will reopen immediately after the auction. It will remain open until one month before IPL 2026 starts. However, players bought in the mini auction cannot be traded in this post-auction period.
These rules give teams flexibility but also set clear limits. Franchises can still adjust their squads with a few final moves before December 9. After that, their next chance to trade will come only after the auction is finished.
All IPL 2026 Trades Completed So Far
Several teams have already been active in the trade window. Rajasthan Royals made the biggest move by securing the services of allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. In return, they sent Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings.
Mayank Markande left KKR and joined MI. Mohammed Shami was traded from SRH to LSG for INR 1 crore. Nitish Rana and Donovan Ferreira were exchanged in a direct swap between DC and RR.
Mumbai Indians added more players through all-cash trades. Sherfane Rutherford joined from GT, while Shardul Thakur arrived from LSG. Arjun Tendulkar was traded from LSG to MI in a ₹30-lakh all-cash deal.
With a few days still left before December 9, more trades could still happen. Franchises may try to strengthen weak areas before entering the IPL 2026 mini auction.
