The Hundred is on the verge of its biggest transformation yet. Ahead of the 2026 season, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced sweeping reforms that will reshape how teams are built, how players are paid, and how the tournament operates. Central to the revamp is the introduction of a player auction — a first in the competition’s history — accompanied by significant salary increases and new contracting rules designed to make the league more dynamic and globally competitive.
For the first time since its inception, The Hundred will switch to an open auction-based recruitment system in March 2026. The move, hailed by the ECB as a “historic step forward,” will replace the existing draft model and give teams greater autonomy in shaping their squads.
The plan was developed by The Hundred Playing Working Group — comprising representatives from all eight franchises, the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), and the ECB — and received final approval from The Hundred Board.
Each team will now be allowed 16–18 players, including up to four overseas signings, with spending governed by both a salary cap (to prevent overspending) and a salary collar (to ensure minimum investment). Fixed salary bands will be scrapped, enabling teams to compete openly for talent. In another first, multi-year contracts will be permitted, allowing franchises to build longer-term strategies and player loyalty.
The 2026 season will deliver unprecedented financial rewards for players. The women’s total team salary pool is doubled to £880,000, marking the biggest single-season rise in the competition’s history.
The minimum salary for women’s players will also rise from £10,000 to £15,000, while the highest earners are expected to command around £130,000. According to ECB officials, these increases reflect the league’s expanding audience, commercial growth, and a commitment to reducing the gender pay gap in professional cricket.
Teams will be allowed to make up to four pre-auction signings between mid-November and the end of January — a system that blends stability with strategy. These signings can include retained players or direct acquisitions such as England centrally contracted stars or overseas professionals.
However, there are limits:
- No more than three of the four can be direct signings.
- A maximum of two England central contracts and two overseas players can be included.
- Each pre-auction signing will deduct a predetermined amount from the franchise’s overall salary purse — mirroring the IPL’s financial model.
Women’s deductions:
- 1 signing – £130,000
- 2 signings – £240,000
- 3 signings – £310,000
- 4 signings – £360,000
The Wildcard Draft will still take place each June, offering two additional spots per team and giving standout domestic players a late pathway into the competition.
Vikram Banerjee, Managing Director of The Hundred, described the upcoming changes as “transformational for players and fans alike.”
“We’ve built these reforms around three guiding principles,” Banerjee said. “Bringing the world’s best players to The Hundred, maintaining competitive balance across teams, and ensuring equity between the men’s and women’s games.”
Banerjee highlighted the remarkable evolution of the women’s competition since its launch:
“When The Hundred began, the women’s salary pool was £120,000. In 2026, it will be £880,000 — that’s progress not just in numbers, but in recognition and opportunity.”
He added that the collaboration between the ECB, teams, and partners had been central to shaping this next phase:
“This process has been about ambition and partnership. Together, we’re setting the stage for The Hundred to become one of the most innovative and inclusive leagues in world cricket.”
The introduction of the auction, the sharp rise in salaries, and the flexibility of multi-year contracts mark a new chapter for The Hundred. The 2026 season is set to blend franchise freedom with competitive fairness — creating a platform that rewards talent, strengthens the women’s game, and attracts global stars like never before.
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