The Hundred to Adopt IPL-Style Player Auctions in 2026

The Hundred cricket competition is set to adopt an Indian Premier League-style player auction for the 2026 season, accompanied by significant increases in salary caps, as announced on Friday.

Since its inception in England in 2021, the Hundred, a fast-paced, condensed version of T20 cricket, has grown in popularity. The upcoming player auction in March 2026 will replace the current draft system, with salary spending for men’s teams rising by 45% to £2.05 million ($2.69 million) per team across the eight participating teams. Meanwhile, the women’s teams will see a 100% increase in their salary cap, reaching £880,000 ($1.16 million) per team.

Vikram Banerjee, the managing director of the Hundred, stated, “These changes will enhance the competition, attracting top-tier talent from around the world and further elevating the quality of cricket and entertainment.”

As part of these changes, a salary cap and a minimum spending requirement will be introduced. The minimum salary for women will be raised by 50% to £15,000 ($19,600). Each team will consist of 16-18 players, with the allowance for overseas players increasing from three to four. Additionally, multi-year contracts will be implemented.

The England and Wales Cricket Board, the governing body, announced that teams will have the opportunity to make up to four pre-auction signings between mid-November and the end of January. Out of these, up to three can be direct signings, which must consist of overseas players or those centrally contracted by England. The article was published on October 31, 2025.