Moeen Ali had announced his retirement from English domestic cricket but will now play for Yorkshire in this year's T20 Blast at 38 years old. He had officially retired from domestic cricket prior to his announcement that he would not continue playing after the end of the last season, effective immediately.

Moeen will be participating in The Hundred Auction on March 12, 2023. This is the first auction conducted using the new auction method and provides opportunities for Moeen to participate in another major domestic event in England.

After initially retiring and agreeing to make decisions on his future as a player under the no-objection certificate agreements by the England and Wales Cricket Board (EBWC), Moeen is continuing his domestic career by returning to Yorkshire, where he previously played for Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

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Yorkshire Welcome Moeen’s Experience

Moeen Ali's Moroccan experience will help Yorkshire achieve its goal of challenging the Championship through his world-class all-rounder experience and leadership. 

Gavin Hamilton, the club's general manager, noted that Ali's presence would provide significant strength to Yorkshire's T20 squad as they look to mount a serious challenge for the T20 Blast title they have never won. 

Moeen stated he is very much looking forward to playing at Headingley again. He emphasized his desire to continue enjoying cricket, share his experiences with young players, and help Yorkshire win their first T20 Blast title.

As of the sixth edition in 2026, the organizers of The Hundred have announced their plan to implement an auction-based system to recruit players into the tournament in preparation for the start of the sixth tournament. The first auction will take place on two separate days in London: the women's auction on March 11 and the men's auction on March 12. All players wishing to participate in the auction will need to register before February 16.

The introduction of an auction-based system for recruiting players aligns The Hundred with other global cricket competitions, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has long utilized an auction system for recruiting its players. The collaboration between the IPL and the Hundred is the result of increased investment into the tournament from private sources. For this reason, the ECB deemed it necessary to update the player recruitment process of the Hundred and improve both the level of competitiveness and the transparency of how teams build rosters.

In conjunction with the introduction of an auction-based recruitment process, the ECB has increased the salary caps for all teams. The budget for men's teams has increased by 45%, to £2.05 million per franchise, and the minimum salary for women's players has been increased by 50%, to £15,000. This is a significant advancement for both the welfare of women players and for placing an emphasis on professionalizing the women's game.

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How the Auction System Will Operate

Prior to the auction process, all teams were able to retain or to acquire up to four players Prior to their auction, each of the teams in the tournament could retain or acquire via direct signings up to four players. One of those players could be retained from their squad from the 2025 tournament. Other players could include either current players who have contracts to play cricket in England or overseas players.

Players may be offered multi-year contracts. All players who did not receive a contract during the retention window will be placed in the auction pool. All teams will be competing and purchasing these players in the auction, which will take place prior to the tournament.

Some of the best-known players in England have been retained prior to their entry into this auction, including Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Jofra Archer, and Jacob Bethell. Other very well-known players are expected to attract intense interest in this auction, such as Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Rehan Ahmed, and Jamie Smith. 

Another change to the auction system is that there is no longer a 'Right to Match' option. Any acquisitions made during the retention or acquisition period will be deducted from the remaining capital allotment.

Since its inception, the tournament has undergone a significant change, with several teams now being part-owned by IPL-associated investors. This has introduced new team identities, such as MI London, Sunrisers Leeds, and the Manchester Super Giants. The sixth edition of The Hundred will take place between July 21 and August 16, 2026. The availability of the new auction model, the tournament's organizers believe, will increase the level of competitiveness and buzz in international cricket.

Frequently Asked Question

When will The Hundred’s first player auction take place?

The first-ever auction for The Hundred will be held in London across two days: March 11, 2026, for the women’s auction and March 12, 2026, for the men’s auction.

What is the deadline for players to register for the auction?

All players wishing to participate must complete their registration by February 16, 2026. Unregistered players will not be eligible to enter the auction pool.

Why is The Hundred replacing the draft system with an auction?

The England and Wales Cricket Board introduced the auction to improve transparency, competitiveness, and alignment with global leagues like the IPL

How will team retention and squad building work under the new system?

Each team can retain or directly sign up to four players before the auction, including one player from their 2025 squad. All other players enter the auction pool, and there is no Right to Match (RTM) option.

What changes have been made to salary caps for 2026?

Men’s team budgets have increased by 45% to £2.05 million per franchise, while the minimum women’s salary has risen by 50% to £15,000, a major step toward strengthening professionalism and player welfare in the women’s game.

The sixth edition of The Hundred is set to usher in a new era for England and Wales’ flagship short-format competition. With the introduction of the tournament’s first-ever player auction, fresh team identities backed by IPL ownership, and a packed double-header schedule, The Hundred 2026 promises to be the most high-profile season yet.

Scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16, 2026, the competition will once again feature eight men’s and eight women’s teams, with every match broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Venues for The Hundred 2026

Matches will be played across England and Wales, with iconic cricket grounds hosting double-headers throughout the tournament:

• The Kia Oval – MI London
• Lord’s – London Spirit
• Headingley – Sunrisers Leeds
• Edgbaston – Birmingham Phoenix
• Emirates Old Trafford – Manchester Super Giants
• Trent Bridge – Trent Rockets
• Sophia Gardens – Welsh Fire
• Utilita Bowl – Southern Brave

Every matchday will feature a women’s game followed by a men’s game at the same venue, maintaining the competition’s equal-visibility format.

Teams and new identities

The Hundred 2026 will feature eight teams each in the men’s and women’s competitions, with three franchises competing under new names following ownership changes:

• MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles)
• Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers)
• Manchester Super Giants (formerly Manchester Originals)

Each team will play eight group-stage matches, facing six opponents once and their designated local rivals twice.

The Hundred 2026 Full Fixtures

All times are UK & Ireland

Reserve Days

• Eliminator: Saturday, August 15
• Final: Monday, August 17

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First-ever hundred-player auction

One of the biggest talking points ahead of the 2026 season is the introduction of The Hundred’s first player auction, replacing the draft system used in previous editions.

• Women’s auction: March 11, 2026
• Men’s auction: March 12, 2026

Franchises were allowed to retain or directly sign up to four players ahead of the auction window. The shift comes following increased private investment across teams, mirroring player recruitment models seen in leagues such as the IPL.

Several high-profile names remain unretained and could enter the auction pool, including Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, James Anderson, Amy Jones, Issy Wong and Sarah Glenn, ensuring strong interest from fans and franchises alike.

Tournament format explained

The Hundred continues with its distinctive 100-ball format, designed for fast-paced and spectator-friendly cricket.

• Each innings consists of 100 balls
• Bowlers deliver sets of 5 or 10 balls
• Teams change ends every 10 balls
• A strategic timeout is included in each inning.

The league stage follows a round-robin system. The top team at the end of the group phase qualifies directly for the final, while the teams finishing second and third contest the eliminator.

Players signed for The Hundred 2026

Men

Birmingham Phoenix: Jacob Bethell (retained), Rehan Ahmed, Donovan Ferreira, Mitchell Owen

London Spirit: Jamie Overton (retained), Dewald Brevis, Liam Livingstone, Adam Zampa

Manchester Super Giants: Jos Buttler (retained), Noor Ahmad (retained), Heinrich Klaasen (retained), Liam Dawson

MI London: Sam Curran (retained), Will Jacks (retained), Rashid Khan (retained), Nicholas Pooran

Southern Brave: Jofra Archer (retained), Jamie Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Tristan Stubbs

Sunrisers Leeds: Harry Brook (retained), Brydon Carse (retained), Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Marsh

Trent Rockets: Tom Banton (retained), Tim David, Ben Duckett, Mitchell Santner

Welsh Fire: Chris Woakes (retained), Phil Salt, Marco Jansen, Rachin Ravindra

Women

Birmingham Phoenix: Ellyse Perry (retained), Alice Capsey, Lauren Filer, Lucy Hamilton

London Spirit: Charlie Dean (retained), Grace Harris (retained), Mahika Gaur, Marizanne Kapp

Manchester Super Giants: Sophie Ecclestone (retained), Meg Lanning, Smriti Mandhana

MI London: Melie Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

Southern Brave: Lauren Bell (retained), Maia Bouchier (retained), Laura Wolvaardt (retained), Jemimah Rodrigues

Sunrisers Leeds: Kate Cross (retained), Phoebe Litchfield (retained), Annabel Sutherland (retained)

Trent Rockets: Nat Sciver-Brunt (retained), Ash Gardner (retained), Sophia Dunkley, Kim Garth

Welsh Fire: Freya Kemp, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Frequently Asked Questions 

When will The Hundred 2026 take place?

The sixth edition of The Hundred will run from July 21 to August 16, 2026, with reserve days scheduled for August 15 (Eliminator) and August 17 

What is new in The Hundred 2026 compared to previous seasons?

The 2026 season introduces the first-ever player auction, new IPL-backed team identities, higher-profile investments, and continues the women’s and men’s double-header format at every venue.

When will the player auction for The Hundred 2026 be held?

The inaugural auction will take place in London, with the women’s auction on March 11, 2026, followed by the men’s auction on March 12, 2026, replacing the draft system used in earlier editions.

How many teams are competing, and what is the tournament format?

There will be eight men’s teams and eight women’s teams. Each team plays eight group-stage matches, with the top team qualifying directly for the final, while the second and third teams compete in the eliminator. 

Where will matches of The Hundred 2026 be played, and how can fans watch them?

Matches will be played across England and Wales at iconic venues such as Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, and Headingley. Every match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Sanjiv Goenka, the head of the RP-Goenka group, is being heavily trolled on social media for his slip of tongue on misnaming the Australia legend and the captain, Meg Lanning. In a video announcing the new signings for the Manchester Super Giants (MSG), the RPSG also added another sister franchise, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). 

When Goenka announced the team for both men’s and women’s teams of the Manchester Super Giants, the latter was clearly more awkward. He addressed the retained players of the men’s side and called Sophie Eccelestone, arguably one of the best spinners in the world, a good spinner. They look to make a massive difference in the next edition.

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“For the women’s team, it’s a combination of experience and youth. Sophie Ecclestone from England, 26 years old, is a good spinner. Meg ‘Canning’, somebody who’s been part of 7 World Cup campaigns, several victories. Smriti Mandhana from India, our own Smriti Mandhana, again a proven match-winner.” Goenka expressed in the video that went viral.

Sanjiv Goenka calls Meg Lanning as Meg Canning in viral video

The incident hasn’t helped the image of Goenka at all. In the Indian Premier League, he has been criticized for his approach with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as he was seen in a heated argument with their former captain of the league, KL Rahul, after they lost a clash against the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 10 wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

Watch the video here: 

Did I hear Meg CANNING!!

pic.twitter.com/72nPnFeQ4b

— Fantasy Cricket Pro 🏏 (Viren Hemrajani) (@FantasycricPro) January 16, 2026

“Manchester is a city synonymous with sport, passion, and legacy. As the Super Giants family grows globally, our presence in The Hundred reflects a long-term commitment to becoming part of the sporting culture and conscience of this great city. The Manchester Super Giants identity represents this belief and ambition.”

On the men’s side, the Manchester side retained Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klassen, and Noor Ahmed from the previous season and signed the left-arm spin all-rounder, Liam Dawson. In the women’s side, they signed Meg Lanning and Smriti Mandhana, besides retaining the veteran left-arm spinner, Sophie Eccelestone, ahead of The Hundred 2026 edition.

Ahead of The Hundred 2026 season, Northern Superchargers are officially renamed as the Sunrisers Leeds, following their acquisition by the Sun Group, who are the owners of the Indian Premier League franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, having secured 100 percent ownership of the Northern Superchargers, in a record deal valued at Euros 100 million.

It saw the Sun Group buy out both the 49% stake of the EnglandCricket Board and the Yorkshire Cricket Club's 51% share, which makes the Superchargers the first franchise in the Hundred to be sold outright. Their co-owner, Kavya Maran, has spoken about the emotional and fan-driven spirit of the group.

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“Sunrisers isn't just a team, it's family, it's emotion, it's passion. Orange Army, you've always shown up in huge numbers with fierce passion from India to South Africa. Now it's time to paint the orange. We're ready to go hard, we're ready to go fearless, we're ready to play with fire. This team is yours, Orange Army. Every wicket, every run, every record we break, it's for you.” Kavya Maran expressed in a special video.

Northern Superchargers renamed as Sunrisers Leeds for The Hundred 2026

The investment is the Sun Group's second overseas investment after Sunrisers Eastern Cape, who are the two-time defending champions of the SA20, under the leadership of Aiden Markram, who, for the current edition of the event, has made his way to the Durban Supergiants and is leading the side.

Watch the video here: 

A new era begins in the 🇬🇧

Ms. Kaviya K. Maran shares her message for the Orange Army 🧡

Let’s Play With Fire 🔥

[@thehundred] pic.twitter.com/b640lTccxi

— Sunrisers Leeds (@sunrisersleeds) January 12, 2026

The former Northern Superchargers are still searching for their maiden The Hundred title as both the Men’s and Women’s teams finished fourth in the 2024 season. The men’s team is coached by Andrew Flintoff and captained by Harry Brook, while the women’s team recently appointed Lia Keightley as their head coach.

In the IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad, who won the 2016 season of the tournament, finished as the runners-up of the 2024 season, losing the final to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In this competition, they are under the captaincy of Pat Cummins.

In a major development for The Hundred, the Northern Superchargers have officially been renamed Sunrisers Leeds, marking a new era for the Leeds-based franchise. The rebranding comes after the Sun Group, an Indian media conglomerate and owners of IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad and SA20’s Sunrisers Eastern Cape, completed a £100 million takeover earlier this year.

The ownership change means the Sun Group now holds 100% control of the franchise after acquiring both Yorkshire’s 51% stake and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) 49% share. Documents filed with the UK’s Companies House confirm that the Superchargers’ name will be discontinued, replaced by Sunrisers Leeds to align with the group’s global cricket identity.

Two More Name Changes on the Horizon

The Hundred’s eight franchises are now under private ownership, and Sunrisers Leeds may not be the only side with a new identity next season.

• Manchester Originals are set to become Manchester Super Giants, following Lancashire’s deal with the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, which also owns IPL’s Lucknow Super Giants.
• Oval Invincibles are likely to be rebranded as MI London, with Reliance Industries Limited (owners of Mumbai Indians) expected to finalise their minority investment soon.

These changes are part of a broader internationalisation strategy for the tournament, as global investors bring familiar branding and cross-league visibility to The Hundred.

Yorkshire’s Financial Relief

Yorkshire County Cricket Club CEO Sanjay Patel said earlier this year that the sale has been crucial in stabilising the club’s finances. “The deal puts the club in a strong financial position, which has been far from the case for many years here, and we can start looking towards a very bright future,” Patel stated.

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On-Field Impact

The Superchargers’ women’s team enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, clinching The Hundred title after defeating Southern Brave at Lord’s. The men’s team, meanwhile, fell short in the eliminator but will return next season with a new head coach, with reports linking Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Daniel Vettori to the vacancy following Andrew Flintoff’s departure.

The Hundred’s New Era

The ECB has also confirmed a shift from a draft system to an open player auction from the 2026 season. The move, along with increased salaries and an extra overseas player per team, aims to attract top international stars and boost the competition’s global appeal.

The Hundred 2026 season is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16, ushering in a new era both on and off the field, with Sunrisers Leeds leading the way as the league’s first fully rebranded team.