The Hundred 2026: Player Auction, Salary Hikes, and New Rules Explained

The Hundred is set for a major change from 2026 with the England and Wales Cricket Board replacing the draft system with the player auction method, similar to the IPL. The decision comes after the equity sale of the ECB brought in more than £550 million, thus helping reshape the competition for both men's and women's cricket.

This will be the first-ever auction that will happen in March 2026 and will mark a new beginning for the eight franchises that will henceforth be either partially or fully owned by private investors.

Salary Increases and New Rules

The ECB, therefore, announced significant salary hikes for both men's and women's players in the team to attract top talent from around the world.

• The lowest-paid women's players will now earn £15,000, up from £10,000.
• Each team will have to spend within a salary cap and collar, meaning they must meet both maximum and minimum spend limits.
• Multi-year contracts will be permissible for the first time.
• Overseas player slots will increase from three to four per team, subject to Home Office approval.

Direct Signings and Wildcards

Teams will also be allowed to make direct signings ahead of the auction:

• Up to two overseas players
• Up to two England centrally-contracted players
• These signings can occur from mid-November to mid-January.

Also, there will be the retention of the wildcard system, whereby two players per team can be selected from the T20 Blast in June 2026 via a mini-draft.

However, each direct signing will reduce a team's auction purse:

A New Era for The Hundred

This will increase the level of excitement, fairness, and competitiveness within The Hundred. It is expected that with a new auction model, salary hikes, and private investment, the tournament is going to get stronger and more appealing for global cricket stars.