The Hundred 2026 is officially underway, and English cricket’s most exciting franchise tournament has returned with a genuinely fresh look. Three teams carry brand-new identities, an expanded overseas player rule changes the tactical landscape, and star-studded squads are making this the most competitive edition since the competition launched in 2021. Whether you’re a devoted cricket fan or a first-time viewer, here is your complete guide to The Hundred 2026.
What Is The Hundred 2026?
The Hundred is England’s flagship franchise cricket competition run by the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board). Each team bats for exactly 100 balls per innings not overs which creates a faster, more dynamic format than T20 cricket. Bowlers can deliver in sets of five or ten consecutive balls, powerplay restrictions apply for the first 25 balls, and the team with the highest score after 100 balls wins.
The 2026 season is particularly significant because it marks the first edition following the sale of stakes in all eight franchises to external investors, a structural change expected to increase financial strength, attract more global talent, and expand the tournament’s international reach.
The Hundred 2026: Key Tournament Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Start Date | Tuesday, 21 July 2026 |
| Final Date | Sunday, 16 August 2026 |
| Eliminator Date | Friday, 14 August 2026 |
| Format | Single round-robin (32 league matches) + Playoffs |
| Teams | 8 (men’s and women’s) |
| Broadcast | Sky Sports (live), BBC (selected matches) |
| Opening Match | MI London vs Sunrisers Leeds, Kia Oval |
The Hundred 2026 Teams: New Names, New Eras
Three franchises carry new identities into the 2026 season following ownership changes. The remaining five London Spirit, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets, Welsh Fire, and Birmingham Phoenix continue under their existing names.
Here is a summary of all eight teams:
| Team | Home Ground | Captain (Men’s) | Renamed From |
|---|---|---|---|
| MI London | Kia Oval, London | Sam Curran | Oval Invincibles |
| Sunrisers Leeds | Headingley, Leeds | Zak Crawley | Northern Superchargers |
| Manchester Super Giants | Emirates Old Trafford | Aiden Markram | Manchester Originals |
| London Spirit | Lord’s, London | Liam Livingstone | — |
| Southern Brave | Utilita Bowl, Southampton | Chris Jordan | — |
| Trent Rockets | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | Sam Billings | — |
| Welsh Fire | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | Phil Salt | — |
| Birmingham Phoenix | Edgbaston, Birmingham | Donovan Ferreira | — |
The rebranding is more than cosmetic. MI London (backed by the Mumbai Indians ownership group) and Sunrisers Leeds (connected to the SunRisers Hyderabad franchise) bring IPL-level investment and recruitment philosophies, which is already reflected in the quality and depth of their squads.
The Hundred 2026: Full Men’s Schedule (Key Fixtures)
The tournament opens on Tuesday 21 July at the Kia Oval with MI London hosting Sunrisers Leeds, followed by Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire at Southampton on 22 July and London Spirit vs Manchester Super Giants at Lord’s on 23 July.
Group Stage Schedule (Selected Key Fixtures)
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 21 July | MI London vs Sunrisers Leeds | Kia Oval, London |
| Wed 22 July | Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire | Utilita Bowl, Southampton |
| Thu 23 July | London Spirit vs Manchester Super Giants | Lord’s, London |
| Fri 24 July | Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| Sat 25 July | Sunrisers Leeds vs Southern Brave | Headingley, Leeds |
| Sat 25 July | Welsh Fire vs MI London | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff |
| Mon 27 July | Southern Brave vs MI London | Utilita Bowl, Southampton |
| Wed 29 July | MI London vs London Spirit | Kia Oval, London |
| Sun 16 August | THE FINAL | TBC |
A total of 32 league matches will be played followed by playoffs. The top-placed team qualifies directly for the Final, while the second and third-placed sides meet in the Eliminator on 14 August. Best overseas players in The Hundred history
The Hundred 2026 Squad Highlights: Men’s Teams
MI London (Defending Men’s Champions)
MI London, formerly the Oval Invincibles, are aiming to win the men’s title for a fourth consecutive year. Their core is built around Sam Curran’s aggressive captaincy, Rashid Khan’s unparalleled leg-spin, and the explosive batting of Will Jacks and Nicholas Pooran. MI is stand out as the top 12 most richest league in the world.
Key players: Sam Curran, Rashid Khan, Will Jacks, Nicholas Pooran
Sunrisers Leeds
Harry Brook is the headline act. Brook tops the contract list with a £465,000 deal, and with Mitchell Marsh providing power at the top and Brydon Carse leading the pace attack, Sunrisers Leeds have genuine title credentials.
Key players: Harry Brook, Mitchell Marsh, Brydon Carse, Nathan Ellis
London Spirit
London Spirit can bank on the experience of David Willey, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, and Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa, though plenty of eyes will be on spin-bowling all-rounder James Coles.Coles is the highest-contracted player in the Spirit squad at £390,000 a statement of intent from the Lord’s-based franchise.
Key players: James Coles, Liam Livingstone, Adam Zampa, Jonny Bairstow
Manchester Super Giants
Led by the experienced Jos Buttler, the Super Giants look dangerous in all conditions. They have retained Noor Ahmad and Heinrich Klaasen alongside Buttler, making them a well-rounded unit capable of deep runs.
Key players: Jos Buttler, Noor Ahmad, Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Dawson
Southern Brave
Jofra Archer’s involvement is the talking point. Southern Brave retained Archer alongside Marcus Stoinis, Jamie Smith, and Tristan Stubbs, creating one of the most dynamic bowling and batting combinations in the tournament. If Archer stays fit, Brave are contenders.
Key players: Jofra Archer, Marcus Stoinis, Jamie Smith, Tristan Stubbs
Trent Rockets
Ben Duckett brings explosive left-handed batting to the Rockets. Combined with Tim David’s finishing power, Mitchell Santner’s slow-left-arm variations, and Nat Sciver-Brunt anchoring the women’s side, Trent Rockets offer balance across the board.
Key players: Ben Duckett, Tim David, Mitchell Santner, Tom Banton
The Hundred 2026: Rule Change You Need to Know
One significant tweak shapes the 2026 tournament more than people realise. Teams can now include up to four overseas players in their playing XI, compared to three in previous seasons a change expected to increase the presence of international stars and make the competition more globally appealing.
This matters tactically. Squads can now pair two overseas batters with two overseas bowlers without sacrificing balance, removing the difficult trade-offs coaches faced in earlier seasons. Expect higher-scoring games and greater bowling variety as a result.
Where to Watch The Hundred 2026
The Hundred 2026 runs from 21 July to 16 August and is live on Sky Sports throughout. Selected matches are also broadcast free on the BBC
For live scores, ball-by-ball updates, and official standings, the ESPN Cricinfo series page and The Hundred’s official website are the most reliable sources.
Title Race: Who Will Win The Hundred 2026?
MI London enter as four-time defending men’s champions an extraordinary record that speaks to their squad depth and recruitment model. But Sunrisers Leeds, powered by Harry Brook at his devastating best, are the most credible challenger. London Spirit, with James Coles potentially breaking out as a star, are a dark horse.
On the women’s side, Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) won the women’s competition last year and carry a strong core into 2026, though Manchester Super Giants boasting Smriti Mandhana and Meg Lanning have assembled arguably the most formidable batting line-up in women’s franchise cricket.
FAQs: The Hundred 2026
H3: When does The Hundred 2026 start?
The Hundred 2026 begins on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, with MI London taking on Sunrisers Leeds at the Kia Oval. The Final is scheduled for 16 August 2026.
H3: How many teams are in The Hundred 2026?
There are eight teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions: MI London, Sunrisers Leeds, Manchester Super Giants, London Spirit, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets, Welsh Fire, and Birmingham Phoenix.
H3: Which teams have been renamed for 2026?
Three teams carry new names in 2026: Oval Invincibles are now MI London, Northern Superchargers are now Sunrisers Leeds, and Manchester Originals are now Manchester Super Giants all following new franchise ownership deals.
H3: Who are the defending champions?
MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles) are the defending men’s champions, while Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) are the defending women’s champions.
H3: How many overseas players can each team field?
From 2026, teams can include up to four overseas players in their playing XI, up from the previous limit of three.This is a significant rule change that strengthens squads across the board.
H3: Where is The Hundred 2026 final being played?
The men’s and women’s Finals are scheduled for 16 August 2026. The specific venue will be confirmed based on the teams that qualify. Previous finals have been held at Lord’s.
H3: Who is the highest-paid player in The Hundred 2026?
Harry Brook tops the pay scale with a £465,000 contract at Sunrisers Leeds, reflecting his status as one of the world’s leading batters in all formats.
H3: How does The Hundred format work?
Each team bats for exactly 100 balls. Bowlers can deliver in sets of 5 or 10 consecutive balls, with a maximum of 20 balls per bowler. A 25-ball powerplay restricts boundary fielders to two, encouraging aggressive batting from the outset.
H3: Is The Hundred 2026 on free TV?
Yes, selected matches are available free-to-air on the BBC. Sky Sports holds the primary broadcast rights and shows every game live throughout the tournament.
H3: Who should I watch in The Hundred 2026?
Harry Brook (Sunrisers Leeds), Rashid Khan (MI London), Jofra Archer (Southern Brave), James Coles (London Spirit), and Jos Buttler (Manchester Super Giants) are the five must-watch performers of The Hundred 2026.
Conclusion
The Hundred 2026 arrives as its most globally ambitious season yet. New ownership across three franchises, an expanded overseas player allowance, world-class talent from Test arenas to IPL dugouts, and England’s finest summer venues combine to make this a tournament well worth following from the opening ball. MI London may be the benchmark, but Harry Brook’s Sunrisers Leeds and a resurgent Southern Brave give the title race a genuinely open feel.
Whether you’re tracking The Hundred 2026 for the drama, the cricket, or the star players, this is a tournament that rewards attention. Sync the fixtures, pick your team, and enjoy the 100-ball spectacle.