The 2026 The Hundred season brings sweeping changes including new owners, team name rebrands, and significantly bigger budgets. Since the last ball of the previous season, stakes in all eight teams were sold to private investors, injecting over £500 million into domestic cricket. This guide explains everything that’s new.
What’s Changed for the 2026 The Hundred?
On the surface, the format remains familiar: eight teams, 100-ball innings, and sets of five or ten deliveries. Each team plays six rivals once and their nearest neighbours twice, with women’s and men’s matches back-to-back. Four points for a win, two for ties or abandonments. The group phase runs from Tuesday to 12 August, with the top team advancing to the final, while second and third play off.
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However, beneath the surface, almost everything has transformed. All teams are under new or significantly altered ownership, with three adopting new names echoing Indian Premier League (IPL) owners: Oval Invincibles are now MI London, Northern Superchargers become SunRisers Leeds, and Manchester Originals are now Manchester Super Giants, featuring a new elephant logo.
Are Teams Going to Be Better?
They are certainly better paid. Salary pots have increased by 45% for men (to £2.05 million per team) and 100% for women (to £880,000 per team). The best-paid men rose from £125,000 in 2024 to £200,000 in 2025, with Harry Brook reportedly earning £465,000 at SunRisers Leeds. Minimum salary for men stays at £31,000. For women, top earners like Australia’s Beth Mooney and New Zealand’s Sophie Devine landed the biggest salaries.
Key Takeaways from the 2026 The Hundred
- £500 million+ investment from private investors into domestic cricket
- Three teams rebranded: MI London, SunRisers Leeds, Manchester Super Giants
- Men’s salary cap up 45% to £2.05m; women’s up 100% to £880,000
- Top male player salary increased from £125k to £200k (2024-2025)
- Format unchanged: 100 balls, group stage, playoffs, and final
Comparison: 2024 vs 2026 The Hundred
| Aspect | 2024 Season | 2026 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Original ECB-owned teams | Private investors (IPL-linked) |
| Team Names | Oval Invincibles, Northern Superchargers, etc. | MI London, SunRisers Leeds, Manchester Super Giants |
| Men’s Salary Cap | £1.41m per team | £2.05m per team |
| Women’s Salary Cap | £440,000 per team | £880,000 per team |
| Top Male Salary | £125,000 | £200,000+ (Harry Brook: £465k) |
FAQ About the 2026 The Hundred
What is the format of the 2026 The Hundred?
The format remains 100 balls per innings, delivered in sets of five or ten. Each team plays six rivals once and their nearest neighbours twice, with points for wins, ties, and abandonments. The top team goes to the final, and second and third play off.
Which teams have new names for 2026?
Three teams rebranded: Oval Invincibles are now MI London, Northern Superchargers become SunRisers Leeds, and Manchester Originals are now Manchester Super Giants.
How much have player salaries increased?
Men’s salary pots rose 45% to £2.05m per team; women’s doubled to £880,000. Top male salaries jumped from £125k to £200k, with Harry Brook earning £465k at SunRisers Leeds.