The Hundred is set to make its return for the 2026 season, with live coverage on Sky Sports running from Tuesday, July 21, through Sunday, August 16. As the competition heads back to the field, several notable changes have been introduced that will reshape the tournament’s landscape, ranging from new trophy formats to a wave of overseas investment that is influencing everything from team ownership to kit designs. One of the most striking innovations for this season is the introduction of a combined men’s‑and‑women’s trophy. In addition to the traditional separate titles awarded to the winners of the men’s and women’s competitions, a new accolade will be presented to the franchise that accumulates the highest combined points across both genders.
This move aims to reward clubs that excel in both competitions and to encourage a more integrated approach to team building. The points system remains straightforward: every victory—whether it comes during the group phase, the eliminator, or the final—earns a franchise four points. The points earned by a club’s men’s side are added to those earned by its women’s side, creating a single, combined total that determines the overall ranking.
In addition, the leading men’s team and the leading women’s team each receive a further four bonus points for topping their respective league tables, bypassing the eliminator and proceeding directly to the final. Should two franchises end the tournament level on points, tie‑breakers will be applied. The first criterion is the number of finals won by the club’s squads.
If both clubs have the same number of final victories—or if neither has won a final—then the team with the greater number of finalists will be favoured. If a deadlock still persists, the combined net run‑rate across both men’s and women’s matches will decide the overall champion. The ownership structure of all eight franchises has undergone a significant transformation, with each side now featuring an overseas investor holding a substantial share.
The most high‑profile deals involve the Ambani family’s Reliance Industries, which has secured a 49 percent stake in MI London (formerly known as the Oval Invincibles). Similarly, Todd Boehly’s Cain International, a co‑owner of Chelsea FC, completed a 49 percent acquisition of the Trent Rockets in late 2025. While the other six clubs had already attracted foreign capital in previous years, this is the first season where those investors will have the authority to shape club strategy and branding.
The updated squad lists for 2026 have already been released, and the full fixture schedule is now publicly available. Fans can follow the action through Sky Sports’ contract‑free streaming service, and the broadcaster also offers a WhatsApp channel for updates.
For the best viewing experience, Sky recommends using the Chrome browser to access its enhanced video player. Among the most eye‑catching ownership stories is that of England football star Jude Bellingham, who now holds a 1.2 percent share in the Birmingham Phoenix. Bellingham’s involvement goes beyond financial investment; he will also champion community cricket programmes aimed at boosting participation at the grassroots level.
His stake is part of a broader portfolio owned by Knighthead Capital Management, which controls 48.4 percent of the Phoenix and also owns Bellingham’s former football club, Birmingham City. Notably, Knighthead’s shareholder roster includes NFL legend Tom Brady as a minority partner. MI London joins three other franchises with direct links to the Indian Premier League. The Ambani family, which also owns the five‑time IPL champions Mumbai Indians, now extends its cricketing empire into the English format.
SunRisers Leeds—formerly the Northern Superchargers—are fully owned by the Sun Group, the parent company of SunRisers Hyderabad. Meanwhile, the R PSG Group, which controls the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, holds a 70 percent interest in the Manchester Super Giants (previously the Originals).
The GMR Group, another major IPL stakeholder, has a 49 percent stake in Southern Brave, adding to its portfolio that already includes the Delhi Capitals and the English county side Hampshire. Across the capital, the American‑based Tech Titans own 49 percent of the London Spirit, while Indian‑American entrepreneur Sanjay Goval—who owns the Major League Cricket franchise Washington Freedom—holds a 50 percent share of the Welsh Fire.
These overseas investments have not only altered the financial landscape but have also prompted a revamp of team kits. Clubs with IPL affiliations are now wearing colours that mirror those of their Indian counterparts. MI London, which previously sported a green kit under the Oval Invincibles banner, will now don a blue uniform with gold trim, echoing the Mumbai Indians. SunRisers Leeds have swapped their purple strip for orange to align with SunRisers Hyderabad.
Southern Brave have abandoned their traditional green for a blue‑and‑red combination matching the Delhi Capitals, while Manchester Super Giants have replaced black and grey with the red‑and‑blue stripes of the Lucknow Super Giants. The Birmingham Phoenix will appear in an all‑black kit this season, a departure from their earlier orange‑and‑yellow colours. London Spirit will retain their blue base but will now feature the iconic MCC "egg‑and‑bacon" yellow and red stripe down the side of the jersey. Welsh Fire continue in red, and the Trent Rockets stick with their yellow‑and‑orange palette.
The influx of capital—estimated at over £500 million across all clubs—has also been reflected in the player auction that took place earlier this year. In the men’s auction, Sussex all‑rounder James Coles, a recent member of England’s white‑ball squads against India, was snapped up by London Spirit for a record £390 000. Welsh Fire spent £200 000 on Jordan Cox after his standout performances for the Oval Invincibles in 2025. On the women’s side, England all‑rounder Dani Gibson commanded a £190 000 fee from SunRisers Leeds, while international stars Beth Mooney (Australia) and Sophie Devine (New Zealand) secured £210 000 contracts with Trent Rockets and Welsh Fire respectively.
Highlighting the competition’s financial impact on emerging talent, 18‑year‑old England spinner Tilly Corteen‑Coleman was bought by Southern Brave for £105 000, underscoring how The Hundred can be a lucrative stepping‑stone for young cricketers. Fans can watch every match live on Sky Sports, with each day featuring a double‑header: a women’s game followed by a men’s contest at the same venue. The defending women’s champions, SunRisers Leeds, open their campaign against MI London at The Oval on opening day at 2:45 pm, with the men’s clash between MI London and SunRisers Leeds slated for 6:30 pm.
This schedule promises a full week of high‑octane cricket, showcasing the evolving face of The Hundred as it embraces new ownership, fresh branding, and a unified trophy concept for 2026.