England’s popular The Hundred league has said goodbye to its old draft system. An IPL-style player auction will now take place from 2026. This will be the first time this has happened in This league.
The ECB announced this today. These changes will make the league more exciting, with teams bidding to acquire the best players.
The salary pot for men will increase by 45% to £2.05 million, and for women it will double to £880,000.
The first player auction for the league’s 2026 season will take place in March, before the tournament begins in the English summer.
Also Read: Champions League T20 Returns – A New Era Begins
Previously, players in Hundred were selected through a draft, but now an auction will attract global stars.
Each team will have 16 to 18 players, with a maximum of four foreign players. Multi-year contracts will also be introduced. These changes will make The Hundred a high-level entertainment equivalent of the IPL.
What is England’s The Hundred League?
This is a England’s unique 100-ball cricket league, run by the ECB. Eight city-based teams (men and women), a fast-paced and fun format.
Held every summer. Similar to the IPL, the franchise model will also include an auction from 2026.
Pre-season deals and rules
Now let’s get to the details. Before the auction, teams can directly sign a maximum of four players from mid-November to the end of January.
At least one of these players must be a retained player, either centrally contracted by the ECB or overseas.
Maximum three direct signings. The wildcard draft will remain, but RTM (Right to Match) will not be available. Each team will also have a salary cap and minimum spending.
Also Read: The Enigma of Quinton de Kock
The Hundred’s Managing Director Vikram Banerjee said,
“This is a hugely exciting time for The Hundred. These changes will help us make the competition even better, ensuring we get the best players in the world and improving the standard of cricket and level of entertainment further again.”
Also Read: Reaveling – Black Armbands in India-Australia 2nd T20I
He added, “In making this decision, we have stuck to three key principles: i) ensuring Hundred attracts the best players in the world, ii) maintaining a competitive balance between the squads, and iii) guaranteeing whatever changes we make work across the men’s and women’s games.”
Banerjee also revealed that the women’s salary pot has increased for the third consecutive year. Previously, it was £120,000, with top players earning £15,000. Now it has risen to £880,000, with top players earning £130,000.
The 45-50% increase for the men was necessitated by market demand to attract global stars. Hundred will now become the third richest league after the IPL and the Women’s IPL.
Teams are now being privatized, which will further strengthen the league. A new battle will begin with the first player auction in 2026.
