October 31, 2025

England’s bold cricket tournament, The Hundred, is ready to flip the script in 2026! Forget the draft—The Hundred will roll out an exciting IPL-style auction, starting with its first sale in March 2026. This big change aims to lure more global superstars and make every match a thrilling ride. What’s cooking in 2026? The men’s salary pots get a spicy 45% jump to £2.05 million per team, while women’s prize money doubles to £880,000! That’s a straight shot to boost talent depth and competition quality. Women players will see their minimum salary jump 50% to £15,000, and teams will get to keep players longer with the brand-new multi-year contracts. Teams will grow bigger—squads will now hold 16 to 18 players, with the overseas player slots increasing from three to four per side. This clear move invites more international stars without cutting into homegrown player chances. Plus, a fresh pre-auction signing window opens from mid-November to the end of January. Teams can snatch up to four players early, mostly targeting top overseas and centrally contracted England players. It’s like a mini auction war before the big event! The Hundred started in 2021 with a focus on fun and fast entertainment. But this auction makeover aligns it with the IPL’s winning formula—real-time price bidding that sharpens team building, spotlights player roles, and lets analytics guide strategy. Bigger budgets and longer deals mean teams can build strong cores over years, boosting match excitement and skill levels. The England Cricket Board (ECB) is crystal clear: growing the women’s salary fund and raising minimum wages shows fairness and keeps top female talent in the game. Adding an extra overseas star spot spices up the star power and global appeal. All these moves, plus a live auction spectacle, are designed to catch fan eyes and boost TV ratings. Mark your calendars—the first auction hits in March 2026, with early signings kicking off from November to January. These early deals will set the tone and prices, sparking fierce bidding battles around multi-year contracts and rare talents. Get ready, cricket fans! The Hundred is gearing up to be bigger, bolder, and bursting with international cricket fireworks.

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Tags: The Hundred, Ipl-Style Auction, Cricket, England Cricket Board, Player Salaries, Women's cricket,