The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring the possibility of hosting the mega auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in a Saudi city. While no specific location has been confirmed, officials are particularly considering Riyadh or Jeddah. Dubai, in the UAE, is also a potential option, but it is currently not favored. The auction is expected to occur in the last week of November.
Securing a suitable venue or hotel has presented challenges for the BCCI. Despite the financial strength of both IPL franchise owners and the BCCI—widely regarded as one of the wealthiest sports organizations—the search for a venue in Saudi Arabia has been notably difficult. Reports indicate that costs in Saudi Arabia are significantly higher than in Dubai, where the previous auction took place in December 2023.
Initially, London was shortlisted as a potential location; however, the BCCI opted against holding the auction in the UK due to the cold weather at this time of year. Now, BCCI and IPL officials are focused on finding a venue that can host the two-day auction and accommodate the entire IPL entourage, which includes delegations from all 10 franchises and representatives from two broadcasters—Jio and Disney Star.