The upcoming season of The Hundred will mark a significant shift in how teams build their squads. For the first time since the tournament launched in 2021, the league will replace its draft system with a full player auction, bringing a new competitive dimension to team selections ahead of the 2026 season.
The auction will take place across two days, with the women’s event scheduled first and the men’s auction following a day later. All eight franchises from both competitions will participate, bidding strategically to assemble balanced squads while staying within the league’s salary cap rules.
Why the Format Has Changed
Since its launch, the tournament has relied on a draft process similar to other franchise leagues. However, organisers have now decided to introduce an auction format inspired by the success of the Indian Premier League.
The auction model, widely used during events like the IPL 2026 player auction, has proven effective in creating excitement, transparency, and competitive bidding among franchises. By adopting a similar structure, The Hundred aims to provide teams with greater flexibility in targeting specific players while also increasing fan engagement during the squad-building process.
The change also comes amid increased investment in the competition, with several stakeholders connected to IPL franchises acquiring stakes in Hundred teams. This growing financial backing is expected to strengthen the league’s global appeal and competitiveness.
How the Auction Will Work
The player auction will unfold in three structured stages designed to ensure a fair and strategic selection process.
Hero Players Round:
The opening phase will feature the most in-demand players identified by franchises ahead of the auction. These cricketers will be grouped by playing roles such as batters, bowlers, wicketkeepers, and all-rounders. Teams will then bid for them, with the highest bidder securing the player.
Ranked Players Round:
After the hero players are sold, teams can nominate additional names from the longlist. The most frequently nominated players become “ranked players” and are presented for bidding in the next round.
Nominated Players Round:
In the final phase, a random draw will determine the order in which franchises nominate remaining players. Once a team nominates a player, other teams may enter the bidding. If no rival bids are placed, the nominated franchise signs that player.
Key Players and Salary Structure
Several high-profile players have already been secured before the auction, including Harry Brook, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Jofra Archer. Meanwhile, notable names such as Joe Root and Shaheen Shah Afridi are expected to feature in the auction pool.
The league has also increased the salary cap to strengthen squad depth. Men’s teams will operate with a limit of £2.05 million, while women’s teams will have £880,000 available for player contracts.
A New Era for the Competition
The introduction of an auction represents a major evolution for The Hundred. By adopting a format familiar to global franchise cricket, the league aims to boost fan engagement, attract international talent, and create a more dynamic team-building process ahead of the 2026 season.
