Source: BBC Cricket
What will The Hundred look like in 2026?ByJonty ColmanBBC Sport journalistPublished2 September 2025Updated 31 October 2025When The Hundred returns in 2026, there will be significant changes to England and Wales’ franchise cricket competition.The tournament is set to receive a large increase in financial backing following sales in stakes of all eight teams.The extra funding is expected to lead to a number of changes to the competition, such as salaries, team names and more.This is what next year’s competition could look like and why it could be the end of The Hundred as we know it…Get in touchSend us your questionsContact formContact formWill the format change?Image source,Getty ImagesImage caption,Oval Invincibles have won the men’s edition of the Hundred in each of the past three seasonsAt present, the format is currently an eight-team tournament in both the men’s and women’s competitions.As things stand, it is very unlikely that the format will change for next year’s competition, or in the next couple of years.Any potential changes are more likely to come in 2029 or later, when there could be an increase in the number of games and the number of teams involved.This is due to the current television package for the competition ending after 2028.When is the schedule likely to be?Compared to the 2025 tournament, next year’s Hundred is expected to be played earlier in the summer.When looking at England men’s fixtures for next summer, the tournament is likely to begin around Tuesday, 21 July.With that in mind, a final of Sunday, 16 August is probable.England’s men play their final one-day international on Sunday, 19 July and are not back in action until Wednesday, 19 August.Will any teams be changing their names?Image source,Getty ImagesImage caption,The Northern Superchargers among the teams whose names are likely to change next yearTwo of the eight teams have already approached the ECB to change their names before next season after being bought by Indian Premier League sides.The Manchester Originals havetold BBC Sportthat their new name is likely to include Super Giants in the title as they are owned by the same group that owns the Lucknow Super Giants.Northern Superchargersare also set to include Sunrisers in their name to match their IPL owners Sunrisers Hyderabad.While it has not been confirmed by the Oval Invincibles, they will reportedly re-brand themselves to MI London as part of an ownership group with the Mumbai Indians.London Spirit are set to retain their name, while the future names of the other four teams remain unknown.Across the competition, changes to colour and branding are likely next year.Will the salaries of players increase?The salary pot in the men’s competition will rise by 45%to £2.05m per side, while the fund for women’s teams will increase by 100% to £880,000.The minimum salary for a female player also rise by 50% to £15,000, while the number of overseas players permitted in both competitions increases from three to four.I…
Published: 2025-10-31T14:21:55
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