The Hundred 2026 player auction will introduce a new format for building squads in both the men’s and women’s competitions. The women’s auction takes place on March 11, while the men’s auction will follow on March 12.
More than 300 players are expected to go under the hammer, making this one of the biggest squad reshuffles in the tournament’s history.
This season also marks an important change. The competition has moved from a draft system to a full auction format, allowing teams to bid for players and build their squads differently.
The change came after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) approved the new auction system, which was supported by the Hundred Playing Working Group, including representatives from all eight teams.
Why The Hundred Switched to an Auction System
Previously, The Hundred used a draft-based player selection system. However, the new auction model gives teams more control in building balanced squads.
With franchises evolving and new investors entering the competition, the auction system helps teams:
- Compete for top international players
- Build squads based on strategy and budgets
- Create more excitement for fans
This new approach also allows teams to adjust their squads more aggressively before each season.
Total Players in the Hundred 2026 Auction
A large number of players registered to be part of the auction process.
| Category | Number of Players |
|---|---|
| Players Registered | Around 1,000 |
| Men’s Longlist | 243 |
| Women’s Longlist | 178 |
| Total Shortlisted | 421 |
Each franchise nominated 75–100 players, which helped create the final long lists.
The Three Stages of the Hundred Auction
The Hundred 2026 auction will take place in three main phases.
- Hero Players
- Ranked Players
- Nominated Players
These stages determine how players are introduced and sold during the auction.
Hero Players Explained
The auction begins with Hero Players, who are the most high-profile names available.
Hero players are divided into three groups:
- Marquee Players
- Tier One Players
- Tier Two Players
Players are placed in these groups based on:
- Number of nominations from franchises
- Career statistics
- Performance analysis data
The auction starts with Marquee Players, followed by Tier One and then Tier Two players.
Marquee Players
The Marquee Players are the biggest stars in the auction.
The order of announcement is:
- Domestic Marquee Players
- International Marquee Players
Example Marquee Players – Men
| Player | Country |
|---|---|
| Jonny Bairstow | England |
| Adil Rashid | England |
| James Vince | England |
| Joe Root | England |
| Aiden Markram | South Africa |
| David Miller | South Africa |
| Sunil Narine | West Indies |
| Haris Rauf | Pakistan |
| Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand |
Example Marquee Players – Women
| Player | Country |
|---|---|
| Danielle Gibson | England |
| Sarah Glenn | England |
| Amy Jones | England |
| Tammy Beaumont | England |
| Davina Perrin | England |
| Nadine De Klerk | South Africa |
| Sophie Devine | New Zealand |
| Beth Mooney | Australia |
| Sophie Molineux | Australia |
| Deepti Sharma | India |
Ranked Players Phase
Once the Hero Player stage is finished, the auction moves to Ranked Players.
In this phase:
- Each team can nominate up to 25 players
- Unsold hero players can also be nominated again
- Players receiving the highest number of nominations become ranked players
These players are then auctioned with open bidding between teams.
This stage allows teams to target players they strongly want in their squads.
Read more: The Hundred: Most Successful Teams in Men’s & Women’s History
Nominated Players Phase
The final stage of the auction is the Nominated Players round.
Key points of this phase:
- Teams can pick players from the remaining longlist
- A random draw determines the order in which teams choose players
- Some players may never be called out if squad places are already filled
This round helps teams complete their squads with remaining budget and available spots.
Pre-Signings Before the Auction
Before the auction begins, teams were allowed to sign players directly.
Pre-Signing Rules
- Teams could sign up to four players before the auction
- At least one must be a retained player
- Maximum two centrally contracted England players
- Maximum two overseas players
All eight men’s teams signed four players each before the auction.
In the women’s competition:
- Four teams signed three players each
- Others used different options.
Salary Cap and Auction Budget
Every team has a fixed salary pot that they must use to build their squad.
Men’s Competition
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Starting Salary Pot | £2.05 million |
| Approx Remaining After Pre-signings | £1.1 million |
Women’s Competition
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Starting Salary Pot | £880,000 |
| Teams with Four Pre-Signings | £520,000 remaining |
| Teams with Three Pre-Signings | £570,000 remaining |
Every direct signing reduces the available budget for the auction.
Squad Size Rules
Each team must build squads within specific limits.
| Competition | Squad Size |
|---|---|
| Men’s Teams | 16–18 Players |
| Women’s Teams | 15 Players |
Teams must carefully manage their budget to ensure they fill all squad positions.
Reserve Prices Explained
Every player enters the auction with a reserve price.
This is the minimum amount a team must pay to sign that player.
Teams cannot bid below this price.
Reserve prices help ensure that top players maintain fair market value during the auction.
Right To Match Rule Removed
Another important change this season is the removal of the Right To Match (RTM) option.
In the previous draft system:
- Teams could match the winning bid to reclaim a former player.
In the 2026 auction, this rule no longer exists, meaning:
- Once a player is sold, the former team cannot automatically re-sign them.
This rule increases competition between franchises.
What Fans Should Watch During the Auction
Fans following the auction should keep an eye on several key factors.
Important Things to Watch
- How teams spend their salary budgets
- Which stars attract the highest bids
- The impact of the Hero, Ranked, and Nominated stages
- Surprise signings and emerging players
- How squads are balanced with batters, bowlers and all-rounders
The new format could lead to major squad changes across the tournament.
Read more: List of winners for The Hundred Men’s Competition
With hundreds of players available, the auction is expected to be competitive and unpredictable.
Teams will try to secure a mix of:
- International superstars
- Experienced domestic players
- Young emerging talent
The results of the auction will shape the teams and rivalries for the upcoming Hundred season.
