The Hundred competition is set to commence its 2026 season this Tuesday, 21 July, introducing a raft of changes following substantial financial investment into the English and Welsh cricket tournament. Over £500 million generated from the sale of stakes in all eight teams has been earmarked for reinvestment into the sport across England and Wales.
A notable aspect of these changes is the influx of new ownership. Four of the eight teams are now partially or fully owned by groups with ties to Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, signalling a growing international influence within The Hundred. Furthermore, Chelsea Football Club co-owner Todd Boehly has acquired a 49% stake in the Trent Rockets, adding another high-profile investor to the competition.
In line with these new partnerships, several teams have undergone significant rebranding. The Northern Superchargers have been renamed Sunrisers Leeds, the Oval Invincibles are now known as MI London, and the Manchester Originals have become the Manchester Super Giants. These three teams have also updated their badges and kits to align with their new identities. Other teams, while not changing their names, have altered their colour schemes; for instance, Southern Brave have switched from green and black to blue and red, and MI London has adopted blue and gold.
The player auction in March also saw considerable movement, with some high-value transfers. England white-ball captain Harry Brook remains with Sunrisers Leeds, securing the most expensive signing at £460,000. Fellow England white-ball batter Phil Salt moved to Welsh Fire for £450,000, while fast bowler Jofra Archer stays at Southern Brave after being picked up for £400,000. English all-rounder James Coles broke an auction record, joining London Spirit for £390,000.
The tournament schedule sees daily matches from the opening day until Wednesday, 12 August, which marks the conclusion of the group stage. The eliminator matches, where second and third-placed teams compete for a spot in the final, are scheduled for Friday, 14 August. The much-anticipated finals for both the men's and women's competitions will take place as a double-header at Lord's on Sunday, 16 August.