The Indian Premier League’s 2025 mega auction will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. The event, scheduled at the Abady Al Johar Arena (Benchmark Arena), marks the second consecutive year the auction has moved overseas, following Dubai’s hosting in 2024.
A total of 1,574 players have registered for the auction by the November 4 deadline, comprising 1,165 Indian and 409 international cricketers. The player pool includes representatives from emerging cricket nations such as Italy, Canada, Netherlands, Scotland, USA, and UAE, alongside Full Member nations, with Pakistan being the only exception. Following the retention phase, franchises can build squads of up to 25 players, with 204 slots available for the taking.
Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, welcomed the development, describing it as a historic first for Saudi-India relations. “It is a matter of great pride and excitement for us to witness the TATA IPL 2025 Players Auction being held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Dr. Khan said. “This event reflects the growing cultural and sports exchanges between our two nations, symbolizing a new era of shared aspirations and people-to-people connectivity.”
The Ambassador added that hosting the auction in Jeddah would not only showcase Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global sports and entertainment destination but also boost cricket’s development within the Kingdom. “Bringing this prestigious auction to Jeddah will serve as a catalyst for popularization and development of Cricket in the Kingdom,” he concluded.
Vinod Kumar (UAE)