The Bangladesh Premier League’s twelfth season auction, initially set for 23 November, has been postponed until 30 November. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the new date, stating that the auction will be held at 3 pm at a five-star hotel in Dhaka.
The postponement is intended to ensure smooth coordination among all stakeholders and to deliver a well-organised auction. Yet, insiders indicate the real problem lies in the franchise bank guarantees. Each franchise must deposit a guarantee of BDT 10 crore. Despite two extensions, one franchise has still failed to meet the requirement. Of the four who have paid, two deposited only half of the required amount. The BCB considers these deposits safe, and there is no question regarding these teams’ participation.
The BCB has already begun searching for a new owner for the franchise that failed to meet the guarantee. New ownership may come from the initial group of interested parties, or the BCB might take control temporarily.
Ownership changes have already taken place for this season. Togi Sports, managed by the Bashundhara Group, now owns Rangpur Riders, while Triangular Services has taken Chattogram Royals. Nabil Group will run Rajshahi Warriors, Cricket With Sami oversees Sylhet Titans, and Champion Sports (Remark-Harlan) controls Dhaka Capitals.
The BPL Governing Council has set final auction rules for 2026, including player base prices. Local top-tier players have a maximum base price of BDT 50 lakh, while international top-tier players are set at USD 35,000. Six categories will apply to local players, with five categories for overseas players.
The twelfth BPL season is expected to kick off in the third week of December, promising a thrilling start to the tournament.