The Hundred 2026 player auction is set to bring a major change to the tournament as the competition moves from a draft system to a full auction format for the first time.
More than 400 players from around the world could be sold during the auction as teams rebuild their squads for the upcoming season.
The auction will be held over two days in March 2026, with separate events for the women’s and men’s competitions. Fans across the world will also be able to watch the auction live.
The Hundred 2026 Auction – Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | The Hundred 2026 Player Auction |
| Women’s Auction Date | March 11, 2026 |
| Men’s Auction Date | March 12, 2026 |
| Start Time (GMT) | 9:45 AM |
| Start Time (IST) | 3:15 PM |
| Format | Live Player Auction |
| Total Players Expected | 400+ |
Both auctions will begin at the same time each day.
Read more: The Hundred 2026 Auction Rules
Where to Watch The Hundred 2026 Auction Live
Fans will have several options to watch the auction live depending on their location.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the auction will be broadcast live on television.
| Platform | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports Main Event | Live TV Broadcast |
| Sky Sports Cricket | Live TV Broadcast |
Sky Sports will provide full coverage of both the men’s and women’s auctions.
Live Streaming Around the World
Fans across the globe can watch the auction live online.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| The Hundred YouTube Channel | Free Global Live Stream |
The YouTube stream allows viewers from any country to follow the auction live without needing a paid subscription.
Direct Signings and Retentions Before the Auction
Before the auction takes place, teams were allowed to sign or retain players directly.
Key Rules
- Each team could sign up to three players directly
- Teams could retain one player from the previous season
- Men’s teams have a salary cap of £2.05 million
- Women’s teams have a salary cap of £880,000
These early signings reduce the amount of money teams have available during the auction.
Auction Budget After Pre-Signings
| Competition | Salary Cap | Amount Deducted | Remaining Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Teams | £2.05 million | £950,000 | About £1.1 million |
| Women’s Teams (4 signings) | £880,000 | £360,000 | About £520,000 |
| Women’s Teams (3 signings) | £880,000 | £310,000 | About £570,000 |
Teams will use the remaining budget during the auction to complete their squads.
Teams and Their Pre-Auction Signings
Below is a summary of players signed or retained before the auction.
| Team | Women’s Signings / Retentions | Men’s Signings / Retentions |
|---|---|---|
| Trent Rockets | Sophia Dunkley, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Nat Sciver-Brunt | Tom Banton, Tim David, Ben Duckett, Mitchell Santner |
| Southern Brave | Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Jemimah Rodrigues, Laura Wolvaardt | Jofra Archer, Jamie Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Tristan Stubbs |
| London Spirit | Charlie Dean, Mahika Gaur, Grace Harris, Marizanne Kapp | Dewald Brevis, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Adam Zampa |
| Birmingham Phoenix | Alice Capsey, Lauren Filer, Lucy Hamilton, Ellyse Perry | Rehan Ahmed, Jacob Bethell, Donovan Ferreira, Mitchell Owen |
| Manchester Super Giants | Sophie Ecclestone, Meg Lanning, Smriti Mandhana | Noor Ahmad, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Heinrich Klaasen |
| MI London | Melie Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Danni Wyatt-Hodge | Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran |
| Sunrisers Leeds | Kate Cross, Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland | Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Marsh |
| Welsh Fire | Freya Kemp, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham | Marco Jansen, Rachin Ravindra, Phil Salt, Chris Woakes |
These signings form the core squads before teams start bidding in the auction.
Read more: The Hundred: Most Successful Teams in Men’s & Women’s History
Why the Hundred 2026 Auction Is Important
The 2026 auction is expected to reshape the teams significantly.
Key reasons why the auction is important:
- Teams can sign new international stars
- Young players get a chance to enter the league
- Squads can be rebuilt with better balance
- Fans can see exciting bidding battles between teams
With more than 400 players available, the auction could lead to some surprising signings.
