By Onkar Jadhav · 8 min read
Bringing the IPL auction drama to your local tournament.
Learn how to structure marquee sets, player tiers, accelerated bidding rounds, and retention rules inspired by the world’s premier T20 player auction.
Capture the energy of a televised mega-auction.
Structure your tournament with marquee player sets, paddle-raising drama, and dynamic base prices to transform routine player selection into an unforgettable spectacle.
Lot 9 · Fast bowler
Player under the hammer
Current bid
14,250 pts
Leading
Northside Strikers
Northside Strikers
32,500 pts
5 of 8 slots filled
Riverside Dynamos
29,000 pts
4 of 8 slots filled
1. Marquee Player Sets (M1 & M2)
In professional leagues, marquee sets comprise elite match-winners who establish the market pricing baseline. For local and club tournaments:
- Select 8 to 12 top players known across the tournament circuit.
- Assign them the highest base price tier (e.g. ₹3,000 to ₹5,000).
- Randomize the order within the set so owners cannot predict which star appears first.
2. The Right to Match (RTM) Card
RTM cards protect franchise identity by rewarding team continuity. If an existing team previously fielded a player in last season tournament:
- The player enters the open auction like any regular candidate.
- All other franchises bid freely until the final highest bid is reached.
- Before the hammer strikes, the auctioneer offers the previous franchise the option to exercise their RTM token.
- If they accept, the player is automatically transferred to their roster at the exact closing bid price.
3. The Accelerated Unsold Phase
In later rounds, bidding stamina wanes. Tournament directors initiate the accelerated round:
Each franchise submits a written shortlist of 3 to 5 unsold players they are willing to bid on. Only these shortlisted players return to the podium, with bidding conducted at a rapid 15-second pace.
IPL Format FAQ
How do you adapt the IPL Right to Match (RTM) rule for a local tournament?
In local leagues, an RTM token allows a team to re-sign a player from their previous season squad. Once the hammer is about to fall on another team winning bid, the auctioneer asks the previous owner if they wish to exercise RTM. If yes, the previous team matches the highest bid and claims the player.
How many players should be placed in the Marquee Set?
Keep the Marquee Set compact: typically 8 to 12 players across diverse roles (e.g. 3 marquee batsmen, 3 all-rounders, 3 fast bowlers, 2 spinners, 1 keeper). Placing too many players in marquee lots dilutes market intensity.
What is the purpose of an Accelerated Bidding Round?
After 80 to 100 lots, bidding fatigue sets in. The accelerated round eliminates unsold lots by having teams submit a concise wishlist, auctioning only desired players at a 15-second gavel tempo.