THE HUNDRED will introduce its first-ever player auction in March, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Friday, with each men’s team operating an enhanced salary purse of over £2 million.
From its sixth edition onwards, the competition will move away from its existing draft-based model to an Indian Premier League-style auction system, allowing teams to bid for players, including up to four overseas stars. Squads will consist of 16–18 players, with both a salary cap and a salary collar ensuring a minimum spend. Teams will also be permitted to make up to four pre-auction signings between mid-November and the end of January.
The significant increase in player salaries positions The Hundred among the most lucrative global franchise cricket leagues, behind only the IPL and the Women’s Premier League.
“The overall salary pot in The Hundred men’s competition will increase 45% for the 2026 season, rising to 2.05 million pounds per team. The overall salary pot in The Hundred women’s competition will increase 100% for the 2026 season, rising to 880,000 pounds per team. The increase to the salary pot in The Hundred women’s competition will also see the base price salaries for the lowest-paid player increase considerably to 15,000 pounds, up by 50%,” the ECB said in a statement.
The changes follow recommendations from The Hundred Playing Working Group, comprising representatives from all eight teams, the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), and the ECB, and were approved by The Hundred board.
The Hundred managing director Vikram Banerjee underscored the rapid progress in the women’s competition, noting that in the inaugural season the total salary purse stood at £120,000, with leading players earning £15,000. With the latest increase pushing the pot to £880,000, top players can now earn in the region of £130,000, marking a significant transformation in earning potential for women cricketers.
