Speaking to PTI on September 23, 2026, Dhumal confirmed that the league has finalised Goa as the venue for the upcoming auction, which will be conducted as a one‑day, "mini" event.
The dates disclosed – December 15 and 16 – mark the IPL’s return to India after three consecutive editions were staged abroad, with the previous auctions taking place in Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi.
Dhumal earlier emphasized that bringing the auction back to India was a deliberate decision aimed at re‑engaging domestic fans and stakeholders, underscoring the league’s commitment to its home market.
The Goa auction is expected to follow the streamlined format used in recent years, focusing on a concise player‑selection process rather than the multi‑day spectacles of earlier editions.