The sixth edition of The Hundred begins on Tuesday, 21 July, featuring updated kits, refreshed team names, and new rosters. A significant update for the 2026 season is the introduction of a combined trophy for men’s and women’s teams. This follows a major financial shift, where team stakes were sold to investors for over £500m, benefiting the 18 counties and grassroots cricket.
Three franchises have undergone rebranding due to new investment: Manchester Originals are now the Manchester Super Giants, Northern Superchargers have become Sunrisers Leeds, and the Oval Invincibles are now known as MI London. These changes reflect partnerships with groups tied to the Indian Premier League. The tournament continues to utilize its unique 100-ball format, designed for efficiency, with matches lasting approximately two-and-a-half hours.
The group stage, featuring eight teams, runs through 12 August, with the top side securing a direct spot in the 16 August final at Lord’s. The second and third-place teams will compete in an Eliminator on 14 August at The Kia Oval to determine the other finalist. BBC coverage will include 16 live matches on television, alongside comprehensive audio commentary on BBC Sounds, digital reports, and video highlights across the BBC Sport website, app, and social media channels.
