The IPL retention 2026 is almost here, and the fate of a few players is set to be sealed for the next season. Multiple reports have already come over IPL trade deals, on the possible releases and retentions, but one will only know for sure, when it is announced by the respective teams. Till then, it becomes imperative to look at some of the rules for the same.

IPL 2026 trade rules

So, can a player be traded to another team, after the IPL 2026 retention are announced? Yes. It can be done. The trading window opened on June 4, a day after the IPL 2025 final, and will be open until one week of the IPL 2026 auction. Post auction, the window opens again, and closes only a month before the next season commences.

Meanwhile, the IPL trade can be done in different ways. The players can be swapped at same prices, different prices, or just all cash deals, where one team sells a player, only to increase the purse for the auction.

IPL 2026 retention rules

The retention announcement will be made on November 15. That said, that is no cap on how many players can a team retain or release. The maximum squad strength is 25 players, with a purse of 120 cr. Once released, and sent to the auction, the team can buy back their released player, with the RTM card, if they have one.