By Chalien Dantes

The Hundred is shaking things up for its 2026 season, introducing a player auction and boosting salaries across the board after securing private investment.

Previously, players were assigned to teams through a draft with set pay tiers, but next year, both team placement and earnings will be determined at an auction in March.

The men’s salary pool jumps 45% to £2.05 million per side, while women’s teams see their total fund double to £880,000.

Minimum pay for female players rises 50% to £15,000, and teams can now sign four overseas players instead of three. Private investors took control of the league this year, with some franchises now partially owned by groups that also run IPL teams. Several sides are expected to change their names in 2026 to align with their overseas counterparts.

Teams can sign four players between mid-November and the end of January, including one retained from their 2025 squad. The remaining three must be overseas or England-contracted players, and franchises will be able to offer multiyear deals.

The “right to match,” which allowed teams to keep a drafted player by matching another offer, will no longer exist, meaning even established squads like the three-time men’s champions Oval Invincibles could be reshuffled. Southern Brave, who went unbeaten in 2025’s group stage, will also face likely changes under the new system.

The sixth season of The Hundred is scheduled for July and August 2026, with exact dates to be confirmed.