The 2026 season of The Hundred has entered the decisive phase, with the knockout positions now locked in for both the men's and women's tournaments. Fans are eager to know which teams have secured those coveted spots and who will be battling it out in the eliminator fixtures. After eight round‑robin games, the squads that topped their respective tables earned an automatic berth in the championship final at Lord's, scheduled for Sunday, 16 August. In the men's competition, the Trent Rockets clinched the premier slot, while in the women's draw the Trent Rockets women also finished at the summit, guaranteeing their place in the final without the need for an additional playoff.
The teams that finished second and third in each league will now face each other in the eliminators, which are set to take place at The Kia Oval on Friday, 14 August. The winners of those two matches will join the table‑toppers at Lord's for the ultimate showdown. Here’s a detailed rundown of how the standings unfolded and what each team needs to do moving forward. **Men’s competition** - **Trent Rockets (1st)** – With just two group games remaining, the Rockets were already assured of the top spot, having amassed a perfect record and a comfortable points cushion.
Their consistent performances across the eight matches meant they could relax a little before the final, knowing they had secured direct entry. - **Manchester Super Giants (2nd)** – The Super Giants earned their eliminator berth after a commanding victory over SunRisers Leeds on Tuesday.
The win was not only significant in terms of the margin—chasing down a modest target of 128 with 33 balls to spare—but also because it brought them level on points (20) with SunRisers. The Super Giants edged ahead thanks to a superior net‑run‑rate, the cricketing equivalent of goal difference, which is calculated by subtracting the average runs conceded per 100 balls from the average runs scored per 100 balls. - **SunRisers Leeds (3rd)** – Despite the heavy defeat to Manchester, SunRisers Leeds remain in contention thanks to their net‑run‑rate advantage. A win in their final group match would have propelled them to first place and straight into the final, but the loss left them vulnerable to a drop to third, which still guarantees an eliminator slot.
- **MI London (4th)** – The defending champions, who have dominated the competition for the past three years, needed a massive victory—specifically a 59‑run margin—against Birmingham Phoenix on Wednesday to overtake SunRisers Leeds on net‑run‑rate. They fell just short, winning by only two runs, which meant they remained in fourth place and missed out on the knockout phase. **Women’s competition** - **Trent Rockets (1st)** – The women’s Rockets topped the league with 28 points, sealing their place in the final after a three‑wicket win over Southern Brave on Monday. Their consistency mirrored the men’s side, and they now await the outcome of the women’s eliminator to determine their opponent.
- **Southern Brave (2nd)** – After losing the crucial match against the Rockets, Southern Brave dropped to second place and will contest the women’s eliminator at The Kia Oval. Their performance throughout the group stage was strong enough to keep them in the hunt, but they must now win the knockout to keep their title hopes alive. - **SunRisers Leeds (3rd)** – The women’s SunRisers secured their eliminator spot with a dominant 41‑run victory over Manchester Super Giants at Emirates Old Trafford on Tuesday.
That win not only lifted them into third place but also eliminated the Super Giants from the competition, setting up a showdown with Southern Brave. - **Manchester Super Giants (4th)** – The women’s Super Giants were edged out of the knockout picture after the loss to SunRisers Leeds, leaving them just outside the top three.
**Understanding net‑run‑rate** Net‑run‑rate (NRR) is the tiebreaker used when teams finish on equal points. It is calculated by taking the average number of runs a team scores per 100 balls across all matches and subtracting the average number of runs they concede per 100 balls. A higher NRR indicates a team has either chased targets quickly or restricted opponents effectively, and it can be the decisive factor in league rankings, much like goal difference in football.
**Upcoming fixtures** - **Friday, 14 August – Eliminators at The Kia Oval** - Women’s: Southern Brave vs SunRisers Leeds – 2:15 pm (Reserve Day: Saturday, 15 August) - Men’s: Manchester Super Giants vs SunRisers Leeds – 6:00 pm (Reserve Day: Saturday, 15 August) - **Sunday, 16 August – Finals at Lord’s** - Women’s: Trent Rockets vs the winner of the women’s eliminator – 2:15 pm (Reserve Day: Monday, 17 August) - Men’s: Trent Rockets vs the winner of the men’s eliminator – 6:00 pm (Reserve Day: Monday, 17 August) Fans can follow live coverage on the NOW streaming platform, which offers a contract‑free viewing experience. For the latest updates, highlights, and analysis, Sky Sports provides a dedicated WhatsApp channel and a suite of video content. Viewers are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. In summary, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to The Hundred’s 2026 campaign.
The Rockets, both men’s and women’s, await their challengers, while the eliminator matches promise high‑stakes cricket that will determine who gets the chance to compete for the coveted trophy at Lord’s. Stay tuned for the decisive games on 14 and 16 August, and enjoy the excitement of what is shaping up to be a memorable finish to the season.