The sixth edition of The Hundred kicks off on Tuesday, featuring major structural and aesthetic changes. Following the sale of stakes in all eight teams during 2025—a move generating over £500m to support English and Welsh cricket—the competition enters a new era. Four teams are now backed by ownership groups connected to Indian Premier League franchises, while Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has secured a 49% stake in the Trent Rockets.
Rebranding efforts are evident across the league. Three teams have adopted new names to align with their IPL partners: the Northern Superchargers are now Sunrisers Leeds, the Oval Invincibles are MI London, and the Manchester Originals are the Manchester Super Giants. These clubs, along with teams like Southern Brave, London Spirit, and the Manchester Super Giants, have updated their kits and badges to reflect these shifts. Conversely, the Trent Rockets, Welsh Fire, and Birmingham Phoenix maintain their traditional aesthetics.
The tournament runs from 21 July until the finals at Lord’s on 16 August. The opening match features a double-header between MI London and Sunrisers Leeds. Player rosters also look different following the March auction. Notable signings include Harry Brook staying with Sunrisers Leeds for £460,000, and major investments in stars like Phil Salt, Jofra Archer, and international talent including Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine.
Fans can follow the action via BBC platforms, which include live broadcasts on BBC Two and iPlayer, alongside extensive radio commentary on BBC Sounds. The coverage team features familiar pundits like Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, joined by new faces including Mark Wood and Emilio Gay.
