The Hundred is set to make its return for the 2026 season, with live coverage on Sky Sports from Tuesday, 21 July through Sunday, 16 August. As the competition heads back to the pitches, a number of significant changes have been introduced that reshape the format, the ownership landscape, and the visual identity of the eight franchise teams. Below is a comprehensive look at what fans can expect when the 100‑ball tournament kicks off again.
**A New Combined Trophy** One of the most striking innovations for 2026 is the introduction of a joint men’s‑and‑women’s trophy. In addition to the traditional separate titles for the men’s and women’s champions, the tournament will now award an overall Hundred trophy to the franchise that accumulates the most points across both competitions. Every victory—whether it comes in the group stage, the eliminator or the final—carries four points, and the points earned by a franchise’s men’s side are added to those earned by its women’s side to produce a combined total.
To further incentivise dominance, the top‑finishing men’s and women’s teams each receive a four‑point bonus for bypassing the eliminator and booking a direct place in the final. Should two franchises be level on points at the end of the tournament, the tie‑breaker will first consider which side has won a final. If both have (or neither has) won a final, the next criteria are the number of finalists each franchise has produced, and, if still unresolved, the combined net run‑rate will decide the overall winner. **Overseas Investment Takes Centre Stage** All eight clubs now have significant overseas shareholders, marking a turning point in the competition’s financial structure.
The most high‑profile deals involve the Ambani family’s Reliance Industries, which has secured a 49 % stake in MI London—formerly known as the Oval Invincibles—and Todd Boehly’s Cain International, which completed a 49 % purchase of the Trent Rockets in late 2025. While the other six franchises had already welcomed foreign investors, 2026 is the first season where these partners are expected to exert a visible influence on branding, kit design, and strategic direction.
**Team‑by‑Team Ownership Snapshot** - **Birmingham Phoenix**: England’s rising star Jude Bellingham now holds a 1.2 % share, aiming to boost cricket participation locally. The majority stake, 48.4 %, belongs to Knighthead Capital Management, the firm that also owns Birmingham City and counts NFL legend Tom Brady among its minority shareholders. - **MI London**: Backed by Reliance Industries, the franchise aligns itself with the Mumbai Indians brand, adopting the same blue‑and‑gold colour scheme.
- **SunRisers Leeds** (formerly Northern Superchargers): Fully owned by the Sun Group, which also controls the IPL side SunRisers Hyderabad, prompting a switch from purple to orange kits. - **Manchester Super Giants** (formerly Originals): 70 % owned by the R PSG Group, the same consortium behind Lucknow Super Giants, leading to a new red‑and‑blue strip. - **Southern Brave**: GMR Group, with interests in the Delhi Capitals and Hampshire, now holds a 49 % share, influencing a shift from green to a blue‑and‑red uniform. - **London Spirit**: The American‑based Tech Titans own 49 % of the club, while the jersey retains its traditional blue with a new MCC‑style ‘egg‑and‑bacon’ yellow‑red stripe.
- **Welsh Fire**: Sanjay Goval, an Indian‑American entrepreneur who also owns the Major League Cricket team Washington Freedom, holds a 50 % stake, keeping the side’s classic red kit. - **Trent Rockets**: Continue with their yellow‑and‑orange colours, reflecting their IPL‑linked ownership. **Kit Transformations Reflect Global Ties** The influx of foreign capital has prompted a visual overhaul across the league.
MI London, previously sporting green as the Oval Invincibles, now dons the Mumbai Indians‑style blue with gold trim. SunRisers Leeds trades its purple for a vibrant orange, mirroring SunRisers Hyderabad. Southern Brave abandons its green for a Delhi Capitals‑inspired blue and red, while Manchester Super Giants replace their muted black‑and‑grey palette with the striking red‑and‑blue stripes of Lucknow Super Giants. Birmingham Phoenix opts for an all‑black strip this season, a departure from its earlier orange‑and‑yellow kit.
London Spirit retains its blue base but adds the iconic MCC yellow‑red stripe, and Welsh Fire and Trent Rockets keep their traditional red and yellow‑orange respectively. **Auction Activity and Player Valuations** The heavy investment has also been evident in the player auction. In the men’s draft, Sussex all‑rounder James Coles—recently part of England’s white‑ball squads against India—was snapped up by London Spirit for a record‑breaking £390,000. Welsh Fire splurged £200,000 on Jordan Cox after his standout performances for the Oval Invincibles in 2025.
The women’s auction saw England’s all‑rounder Dani Gibson secure a £190,000 contract with SunRisers Leeds, while Australian legend Beth Mooney and New Zealand star Sophie Devine each earned £210,000 from Trent Rockets and Welsh Fire respectively. Even younger talent is being rewarded; 18‑year‑old England spinner Tilly Corteen‑Coleman joined Southern Brave for £105,000, underscoring how The Hundred can become a lucrative pathway for emerging players. **Schedule and Broadcast Details** Every match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with a double‑header format each day: a women’s fixture followed by a men’s game at the same venue.
The opening day features defending women’s champions SunRisers Leeds defending their title against MI London at The Oval, with the first ball scheduled for 2:45 pm. Later that evening, at 6:30 pm, MI London will begin their quest for a fourth consecutive men’s championship by facing SunRisers Leeds. **What This Means for Fans** The combined trophy adds a fresh strategic layer, encouraging franchises to field competitive squads in both men’s and women’s competitions. The new ownership structures bring global cricketing expertise and financial muscle, which should translate into higher‑quality talent, upgraded facilities, and more engaging fan experiences.
Kit changes provide a visual link to the IPL and other international leagues, potentially attracting new supporters who recognise familiar colours and branding. In summary, the 2026 edition of The Hundred promises a more integrated, financially robust, and globally connected competition.
With a combined championship, revamped kits, and a record‑breaking auction, the tournament is poised to deliver an exciting summer of fast‑paced cricket for both longtime followers and newcomers alike.