Major Overhaul for the Hundred in 2026
The Hundred, the England and Wales Cricket Board's short-format showpiece, begins its 2026 season on Tuesday with significant changes following the sale of stakes in all eight teams to private investors. This influx of over £500 million has transformed the domestic game, affecting pay, coaching staff, player rosters, and even team identities.
The basic structure remains: eight teams, 100-ball innings, and a group stage leading to a final. However, ownership has shifted dramatically. Three teams have new names: Oval Invincibles become MI London, Northern Superchargers are now SunRisers Leeds, and Manchester Originals rebrand as Manchester Super Giants, complete with a new elephant-themed logo.
Increased Salary Pots and Player Movement
Salary budgets have risen sharply: men's teams now have £2.05 million (up 45%), while women's teams have £880,000 (up 100%). Top male players earned £125,000 in 2024 but up to £200,000 in 2025, with Harry Brook reportedly earning £465,000 for SunRisers Leeds. In the women's tournament, Australia's Beth Mooney and New Zealand's Sophie Devine secured £210,000 each. Minimum salaries increased from £31,000 to £31,000 for men and from £10,000 to £15,000 for women.
Player turnover is high: with only four of 16 squad members signed via traditional methods and the rest selected at a March auction, squads are less settled. Only a fifth of men's players remain with the same team as last year, down from over half. London Spirit saw the most change, retaining just three of 34 players from 2025. The tournament features four of the world's top five men's T20 bowlers and five of the top 10 batters, while the women's competition includes all top five batters and five of the top 10 bowlers.
Coaching Shake-Up and Kit Changes
Coaching staff have been overhauled: only two of 16 head coaches remain in their previous roles. Seven coaches swapped teams. Notably, Andy Flower moved from Trent Rockets to London Spirit, and Justin Langer switched from London Spirit to Manchester Super Giants, both drawing attention amid England's search for a Test coach.
Kits have changed, with snack brands moved to sleeves and replaced by corporate sponsors like Sokin, Vitality, and Barclays. Manchester Super Giants will give free replica shirts to fans instead of selling them.
Future Uncertainty
The ECB has allowed betting sponsors for this transitional year, acknowledging further changes ahead. Broadcast deals with Sky and BBC expire after 2028, potentially leading to more teams or a shift from the 100-ball format to T20. According to Vikram Banerjee, the ECB's director of business operations, adding teams is "almost a no-brainer."
