What has changed in The Hundred for 2026? Key updates
The Hundred returns for 2026 with new owners across all eight sides, three renamed franchises, refreshed kits and a combined men’s and women’s team trophy. The sixth edition starts on Tuesday 21 July and runs to finals at Lord’s on 16 August, after more than £500m of investment reshaped the competition.
Key Takeaways
- All eight sides have new full or partial overseas owners after deals sealed around 2025.
- Three teams were renamed: Sunrisers Leeds, MI London and Manchester Super Giants.
- A new combined men’s and women’s franchise trophy sits alongside the two gender titles.
- Jude Bellingham holds a small stake in Birmingham Phoenix; Todd Boehly has 49% of Trent Rockets.
- Action runs from 21 July to finals day at Lord’s on 16 August 2026.
What are the biggest ownership and branding shifts?
According to BBC Sport, stakes in every franchise were sold, with over £500m earmarked for reinvestment in English and Welsh cricket. Four ownership groups also have Indian Premier League links.
Northern Superchargers are now Sunrisers Leeds, Oval Invincibles became MI London, and Manchester Originals rebranded as Manchester Super Giants. Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly’s group took a 49% stake in Trent Rockets. Sky Sports reports Jude Bellingham holds a 1.2% share in Birmingham Phoenix.
Kits and badges followed the money. MI London switched to blue and gold, Sunrisers Leeds to orange and black, and Southern Brave from green and black to blue and red. London Spirit and other sides also refreshed jersey looks for the new era.
How does the new combined team trophy work?
Sky Sports says 2026 adds a combined men’s and women’s trophy for the best-performing franchise overall, while separate men’s and women’s titles remain. Every match win in the group stage, eliminator or final is worth four points, with men’s and women’s totals added together.
Four bonus points each go to the men’s and women’s sides that top the league and go straight to the final. Tied franchises are separated first by whether a squad won a final, then by most finalists, then by combined net run-rate if needed.
When does The Hundred 2026 start and finish?
The opener is the women’s clash between MI London and Sunrisers Leeds at The Oval at 14:45 BST on Tuesday 21 July, with the men’s fixture later that evening. Group matches run daily until 12 August.
Eliminators are on Friday 14 August, with both finals on Sunday 16 August in a Lord’s double-header. For more quirky sports and viral coverage, see our Bizarre News & Florida Man section.
The player auction also marked a new money era: Harry Brook stayed at Sunrisers Leeds for £460,000, while James Coles set an auction record at £390,000 with London Spirit. In the women’s game, Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney each signed for £210,000.