When Will Trade Window Open for IPL 2026? What Are the Rules?

The IPL 2026 trade window is open now. Many fans are curious to know how it works. Here’s everything you need to understand about the player trading rules and key dates.

When Can Players Be Traded?

There are two trade windows for IPL 2026:

• The first trade window starts 7 days after IPL 2025 ends.
• It will close 7 days before the 2026 player auction.
• The second trade window will start the day after the 2026 player auction.
• It will end 30 days before IPL 2026 begins.
• Players can only be traded during these two periods.

Main Rules of Trading

• Players bought in the auction cannot be traded in the very next season. If a foreign player is being traded, the buying team must get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from his country’s cricket board.
• Teams can only discuss and fix the player’s salary, also known as the league fee. No extra money can be paid to the player or the other team. The buying team must make sure the player is fit to play. A medical test may be required.
• There is no limit to the number of trades, but teams must follow the rules for salary cap and squad size.
• A player can be traded only once per season.

What If the Salary Changes in a Trade?

• If the salary increases during the trade, the player will get a new contract with the higher amount. The extra money will be shared between the player and the team that is giving him away.
• If the salary goes down, the player will still get his original salary. The new team will pay what they agreed, and the old team will pay the rest.
• If a player wants to reduce his salary to join a new team, he must inform the BCCI in writing. The BCCI must approve the change. If anything looks wrong, the BCCI can cancel the trade and may give fines.