The 2026 season of The Hundred has entered its decisive phase, with the knockout positions now firmly established for both the men's and women's tournaments. After eight rounds of group play, the teams that topped their respective tables have secured a straight berth to the championship final at Lord's on Sunday, 16 August. Meanwhile, the squads finishing second and third will clash in the eliminator matches at The Kia Oval on Friday, 14 August, with the victors earning the right to compete in the final later in the weekend.
**How the standings shaped up** In the men's competition, the Trent Rockets clinched the top spot with two games still to play, guaranteeing their place in the final. Their consistent performances across the group stage left them comfortably ahead of the pack. The Manchester Super Giants, after delivering a dominant performance against SunRisers Leeds on Tuesday, secured the second‑place position and a place in the eliminator. Their victory was notable not just for the margin but also for its impact on the table: both Manchester and SunRisers ended the round with 20 points, but the Super Giants edged ahead on net run‑rate after chasing down a modest target of 128 runs with 33 balls remaining.
Net run‑rate, the tiebreaker used in The Hundred, works much like goal difference in football. 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. This metric proved crucial in separating Manchester from SunRisers when their point totals were identical.
SunRisers Leeds, despite the heavy defeat to Manchester, remained in contention for the knockout stages. A win in their final group match would have propelled them to first place, overtaking the Rockets and granting them a direct final berth.
Instead, the loss left them in third place, meaning they must navigate the eliminator to keep their championship hopes alive. The defending champions, MI London, who have held the title for the past three seasons, found themselves in fourth place. To leapfrog SunRisers into the third‑spot, they needed a victory margin of at least 59 runs against Birmingham Phoenix. Their narrow two‑run win fell short of that requirement, leaving them just outside the knockout zone.
**Women’s competition** The women’s table mirrored the men’s in several ways. The Trent Rockets women also topped their league, amassing 28 points from eight matches and thereby booking a direct place in the final at Lord's.
Their decisive three‑wicket win over the then‑second‑placed Southern Brave on Monday cemented their leadership, sending Southern Brave down to the eliminator. Southern Brave, now slated to face SunRisers Leeds in the women’s eliminator, will need to regroup after a strong but ultimately insufficient campaign.
SunRisers Leeds earned their eliminator spot by delivering a commanding 41‑run victory over Manchester Super Giants at Emirates Old Trafford on Tuesday. That win not only lifted them to second place but also eliminated the Super Giants from the women's competition. **Schedule of the knockout matches** - **Friday, 14 August – Eliminators at The Kia Oval** - Women’s game: Southern Brave vs SunRisers Leeds, kick‑off 2:15 pm - Men’s game: Manchester Super Giants vs SunRisers Leeds, kick‑off 6:00 pm - A reserve day is available on Saturday, 15 August, should any match be disrupted.
- **Sunday, 16 August – Finals at Lord’s** - Women’s final: Trent Rockets vs the winner of the women’s eliminator, 2:15 pm - Men’s final: Trent Rockets vs the winner of the men’s eliminator, 6:00 pm - A reserve day is also scheduled for Monday, 17 August. Fans can continue to follow the action through live streams on NOW, and additional coverage, analysis, and highlights are available via Sky Sports platforms, including WhatsApp updates. For the best viewing experience, the service recommends using the Chrome browser to access a more accessible video player.
**What’s at stake?** The eliminator matches are single‑elimination affairs; a loss means the end of the tournament journey. For Manchester Super Giants and SunRisers Leeds in the men’s bracket, and Southern Brave and SunRisers Leeds in the women’s bracket, the pressure will be immense.
Both teams will be looking to capitalize on the momentum from their recent wins while managing the nerves that come with knockout cricket. Should the Rockets maintain their dominant form, they will enter the final as clear favourites, having already demonstrated the ability to win under pressure. However, cricket’s unpredictable nature means that any team emerging from the eliminators could pose a serious challenge, especially if they ride the confidence of a hard‑fought victory. The final at Lord’s promises to be a showcase of the best talent in the short‑format game, with the added drama of a championship on the line.
Whether you are a die‑hard fan of The Hundred or a casual viewer, the concluding weekend offers high‑octane cricket, strategic brilliance, and the excitement of a title being contested for the first time since MI London’s three‑year reign. Stay tuned for live updates, post‑match interviews, and in‑depth analysis as the tournament reaches its climax. The Hundred’s blend of fast‑paced action and innovative rules continues to attract a global audience, and the 2026 edition is set to deliver a memorable finish for players and supporters alike.