In a landmark move for English cricket, The Hundred will hold its first-ever player auction in March 2026, marking the beginning of a new era for the tournament. The upcoming sixth season will feature multi-year contracts, a revamped salary structure, and a fresh player selection model, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed.
Each team will have 16 to 18 players in their squads, including up to four overseas players, with both a salary cap and a salary collar — ensuring teams spend within a set range.
Record Salary Increases for Men’s and Women’s Competitions
The men’s salary pot will rise by 45% to £2.05 million per team, while the women’s salary pool will double to £880,000 per team. This marks the third consecutive salary hike since the competition’s inception.
The lowest-paid female players will now earn £15,000, representing a 50% increase, while top earners are expected to receive around £130,000 — positioning The Hundred as one of the most lucrative women’s cricket leagues globally.
Pre-Auction Signings and Squad Rules
Teams will be permitted to make up to four pre-auction signings between mid-November and the end of January, including:
A maximum of three direct signings, which can include overseas or England centrally contracted players.
At least one retention, which can be from any category — overseas, domestic, or centrally contracted.
Within these signings, teams may include up to two England centrally contracted players and two overseas players. Notably, there will be no Right-to-Match card available for the 2026 season.
IPL-Style Salary Deduction Model Introduced
A tiered cumulative cap model, similar to the IPL’s system, will be implemented to maintain competitive balance. The pre-auction salary deductions will vary depending on the number of pre-signed players:
Men’s competition deductions:
1 signing: £350,000
2 signings: £650,000
3 signings: £850,000
4 signings: £950,000
Women’s competition deductions:
1 signing: £130,000
2 signings: £240,000
3 signings: £310,000
4 signings: £360,000
Additionally, the Wildcard Draft will remain in place, allowing teams to reward standout domestic talent by adding two final players in June.
ECB Confirms Auction to “Attract the World’s Best”
Vikram Banerjee, Managing Director of The Hundred, hailed the changes as “a hugely exciting step” for the competition.
“These changes will help us attract the best players in the world and enhance both the standard of cricket and the entertainment level,” Banerjee said.
“Moving to an auction aligns The Hundred with the world’s leading franchise leagues. It ensures competitive balance while making the competition even more compelling for fans and players alike.”
Banerjee also emphasized the ECB’s commitment to gender parity, noting that women’s salaries have grown sevenfold since the first edition of The Hundred in 2021.
Key Takeaways
First-ever player auction: March 2026
Salary increase: Men +45%, Women +100%
Multi-year contracts introduced
16–18 player squads with up to four overseas stars
Pre-auction signings open from mid-November 2025
No Right-to-Match option in 2026
With these sweeping reforms, The Hundred aims to solidify its status as one of the most innovative and financially competitive franchise tournaments in global cricket.
