The Hundred tournament enters a transformative phase in 2026 following the sale of stakes in all eight teams to private investors, resulting in more than £500 million flowing into the domestic cricket game. The structural format remains largely intact, with eight teams playing in their traditional locations and competing through 100-ball innings organized in sets of five or 10 deliveries. The group phase runs from Tuesday through 12 August, with the top-finishing team advancing directly to the final while the second and third-place teams compete for the other final spot.
Three franchises have adopted new names reflecting their shared ownership with Indian Premier League sides. The Oval Invincibles, previous winners of multiple titles, become MI London, Northern Superchargers transform into SunRisers Leeds, and Manchester Originals rebrand as Manchester Super Giants. These identity changes accompany new logos and organizational structures designed to align with their international ownership partners.
Compensation structures show marked increases across both competitions. Men’s salary pots have risen by 45 percent to £2.05 million per team, while women’s salary pools have doubled to £880,000. Individual earnings have climbed substantially, with top male players now receiving up to £465,000, exemplified by Harry Brook’s compensation at SunRisers Leeds. Top-earning female players, including Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine, command £210,000. Minimum salaries have also increased, reaching £31,000 for men and £15,000 for women.
The competitive landscape has shifted dramatically through an auction-based player selection process, with only four players per team selected through traditional methods. This contrasts sharply with previous years when over half of competitors remained with their original franchises. The new rosters include four of the world’s top five men’s T20 bowlers and five of the top 10 batters, alongside all five of the world’s top-ranking female batters.
Coaching staffs have experienced substantial turnover, with only two of the 16 head coaches remaining in positions held the previous season. Notable appointments include Andy Flower moving to London Spirit and Justin Langer joining Manchester Super Giants. Commercial partnerships have also transformed, with traditional snack brand sponsorships replaced by corporate entities such as Sokin, Vitality, and Barclays. The ECB has indicated that 2026 represents a transitional year, with more significant changes potentially emerging after broadcast agreements expire following the 2028 season.