US EditionThe Hundred Cricket Competition to Switch to IPL-Style Player Auctions in 2026
The Hundred will adopt an IPL-style auction with private ownership, increasing men's salary caps by 45% and doubling women's pay pools, starting March 2026.
- On Friday, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced The Hundred will switch to an IPL-style player auction in March 2026, allowing private investors partial or full ownership of the eight teams.
- ECB officials argued the move mirrors the Indian Premier League and includes a significant player pay hike to boost equality and competitiveness in men's and women's tournaments.
- Men's salary caps will rise 45% to 2.05 million pounds per team, the women's salary pool will double to 880,000 pounds, and the lowest-paid women will earn 15,000 pounds with squads of 16 to 18 players allowed four overseas.
- Franchises that make pre-auction signings will face men's deductions of 350,000 to 950,000 and women's of 130,000 to 360,000, with signing windows from mid-November to end of January.
- Allowing multi-year contracts and more overseas players will affect recruitment as teams may include up to four overseas players while private investors taking ownership support the Hundred's entertainment and growth aims.
22 Articles
22 Articles
The Hundred to switch to IPL-style player auctions in 2026
In March 2026, the Hundred will hold its first auction — rather than the previously used draft system — with overall salary spending in the men’s series rising by 45% to £2.05 million ($2.69 million) for each of the eight teams.
Associated Press News
The Hundred cricket competition to switch to IPL-style player auctions in 2026
The Hundred cricket competition will switch to an IPL-style player auction for the 2026 season with salary pots facing big hikes in changes announced Friday.
The Hundred to introduce player auction in 2026, teams can offer multi-year contracts to players
The Hundred is set for a major transformation from 2026, as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the tournament will move from a draft system to a full player auction. The decision, mirroring the Indian Premier League’s format, comes alongside a significant hike in player salaries for both the men’s and women’s competitions. The inaugural auction is scheduled for March 2026 and marks a new era for the tournament, which will s…
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