The 2026 edition of The Hundred is now entering the decisive phase of its league stage, with the final knockout places hanging in the balance for both the men's and women's tournaments. As the competition tightens, every match becomes a must‑win for teams still chasing a berth in the finals, and the points table tells a story of tight races, eliminated sides, and a few clubs still alive with a realistic chance of progressing. **How qualification works** Both the men's and women's competitions follow the same structure. After each side has played eight group games, the team that tops its respective table earns an automatic place in the final at Lord's on Sunday, 16 August.
The teams that finish second and third will meet in an eliminator at The Kia Oval on Friday, 14 August. The winner of that eliminator then joins the table‑toppers in the championship match. Consequently, finishing in the top three is essential, but only the first‑placed side can avoid the extra hurdle of the eliminator.
**Current landscape in the men’s league** With London Spirit already out of contention, the men’s side of the tournament remains wide open. The Trent Rockets have surged ahead, sitting on 20 points after six games – a perfect five wins out of six – putting them four points clear at the summit. Their recent victory on Wednesday night not only extended their lead but also placed them in a commanding position to clinch the direct final berth, provided they maintain form in the remaining fixtures. Trailing the Rockets, Birmingham Phoenix find themselves at the bottom of the table on four points, but they have one game in hand.
That extra match gives them a slim lifeline; a win would lift them to six points and keep them mathematically in the race for a possible eliminator spot. However, their survival hinges on a win against SunRisers Leeds on Friday – a do‑or‑die encounter that will decide whether their campaign ends early or continues into the knockout phase. The next tier of contenders includes MI London and Welsh Fire, both sitting on 12 points after six games. They are currently second and third respectively, and a string of three consecutive victories would see them reach 16 points, a tally that would likely guarantee a place in the eliminator.
For the Phoenix, the pressure is immense: they must win their Friday fixture and hope that the results of the other matches swing in their favour. Further down the table, SunRisers Leeds and Manchester Super Giants are locked together on 12 points, although the Super Giants have played one more match. These two sides represent the biggest threat to the top three, as any slip‑up by the Rockets, MI London or Welsh Fire could see them leapfrog into the qualifying spots.
Southern Brave are in a precarious position with eight points after six games. Their only realistic path to the eliminator is to win all of their remaining matches while relying on other results to go their way. The net run‑rate (NRR) – the cricket equivalent of goal difference – could become the decisive tiebreaker if teams finish level on points.
In The Hundred, NRR is calculated by taking the average runs a side scores per 100 balls across all games and subtracting the average runs they concede per 100 balls. **Women’s competition – a clearer picture** The women’s table is less congested. The Trent Rockets sit atop the standings with 20 points after six games, and Southern Brave follow closely, also on 20 points. Their positions are essentially locked in, meaning both are set to qualify directly for the final at Lord’s.
Only Manchester Super Giants, currently third with 14 points, retain a mathematical chance of overtaking either of the leaders. Welsh Fire and SunRisers Leeds, both on 12 points (with SunRisers having a game in hand), could still match the leaders’ total if they win all remaining fixtures. However, they would still need a superior net run‑rate to claim the top two spots. The upcoming head‑to‑head clash between Rockets and Brave on Monday at Trent Bridge will likely decide the outright leader of the women’s league.
The victor will secure the direct final slot, while the loser will have to navigate the eliminator. **Recent form and crucial fixtures** MI London finally broke their winless streak with a victory over London Spirit on Thursday, bringing both teams level on six points after six games. Both sides now must win their remaining two matches and hope for favorable outcomes elsewhere to stay in the eliminator hunt. Birmingham Phoenix share a similar fate, also sitting on six points but with three games left, giving them a slightly larger margin for error.
Their upcoming match against SunRisers Leeds on Friday will be a pivotal test of their survival instincts. **Schedule of the final round‑robin matches** - Friday 7 August: Birmingham Phoenix vs SunRisers Leeds (Edgbaston – women 15:00, men 18:30) - Saturday 8 August: MI London vs Trent Rockets (The Kia Oval – women 11:00, men 14:30) - Saturday 8 August: Southern Brave vs Manchester Super Giants (Utilita Bowl – women 14:30, men 18:00) - Sunday 9 August: SunRisers Leeds vs Welsh Fire (Headingley – women 11:00, men 14:30) - Sunday 9 August: London Spirit vs Birmingham Phoenix (Lord’s – women 14:30, men 18:00) - Monday 10 August: Trent Rockets vs Southern Brave (Trent Bridge – women 15:00, men 18:30) - Tuesday 11 August: Manchester Super Giants vs SunRisers Leeds (Emirates Old Trafford – women 15:00, men 18:00) - Wednesday 12 August: Welsh Fire vs London Spirit (Sophia Gardens – women 11:30, men 15:00) - Wednesday 12 August: Birmingham Phoenix vs MI London (Edgbaston – women 15:00, men 18:30) The eliminators are scheduled for Friday 14 August (women 14:15, men 18:00) with a reserve day on Saturday 15 August, followed by the finals on Sunday 16 August (women 14:15, men 18:00) and a reserve day on Monday 17 August. **Where to watch** All matches, right through to the finals, will be streamed live on the NOW platform, offering a contract‑free viewing experience.
Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player. In summary, the men’s competition remains a tightly contested battle with several teams still mathematically alive for a knockout spot, while the women’s side has largely settled its top two qualifiers. The final round‑robin fixtures will determine who clinches the direct final berth and who must fight for survival in the eliminator, making every remaining game a must‑watch event for followers of The Hundred.