Quick Answer
The Hundred 2026 is the sixth edition of The Hundred, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) 100-ball franchise cricket tournament. Running from 21 July to 16 August 2026, the competition features eight teams from across England and Wales competing for the title. Defending champions MI London headline a season that introduces franchise rebrands, IPL-backed ownership groups, a new player auction system, and stronger squads than ever before.
The Hundred 2026 is underway, with eight franchise teams competing across England and Wales. Since launching in 2021, the tournament has grown into one of the world’s most popular short-format cricket competitions thanks to its fast-paced 100-ball format, family-friendly approach, and world-class international players.
The 2026 season marks a major turning point in the competition’s evolution. Several franchises have been rebranded following significant investment from IPL-linked ownership groups, while the traditional player draft has been replaced by the tournament’s first-ever auction. These changes have created stronger squads, increased global interest, and added a new level of excitement for fans.
The Hundred is organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and features eight city-based franchises playing across some of the country’s most iconic venues, including Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley, and Trent Bridge. The 2026 final will be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 16 August.
MGLion will provide comprehensive coverage throughout The Hundred 2026, including fixtures, results, points table updates, squad news, injury reports, player analysis, and match previews. Alongside tournament coverage, many cricket fans also visit MGLion for cricket ID information, trusted cricket ID providers in India, online cricket ID guides, and the latest cricket-related updates.
Key Takeaways
- The Hundred 2026 runs from July 21 to August 16.
- Eight teams are competing.
- MI London enters as defending champions.
- The tournament features a 100-ball format.
- The final will be played at Lord’s.
Quick Answer – The Hundred 2026
| Detail | Information |
| Start Date | July 21, 2026 |
| Final | August 16, 2026 – Lord’s |
| Eliminator | August 14, 2026 |
| Total Matches | 34 Matchdays Including Knockout Stage |
| Format | 100 balls per innings |
| Teams | 8 franchises |
| Defending Champions | MI London – formerly Oval Invincibles |
| Broadcast | Sky Sports and BBC |
Why The Hundred 2026 Is Different From Previous Seasons
The 2026 edition marks a structural turning point for the competition:
- New ownership – Four franchises are now part owned by IPL-backed groups
- Three rebrands – Oval Invincibles to MI London, Northern Superchargers to Sunrisers Leeds, Manchester Originals to Manchester Super Giants
- First-ever auction – The draft system was scrapped. Players were signed through a live auction in London on March 11 and 12, 2026.
- Higher salary cap – Salary pots increased by 45 percent
- More overseas players – Each squad can now include four overseas players instead of three
- Reserve days added – Eliminator and Final now have reserve days to ensure results on the pitch
This combination of investment, new team identities, and stronger squads makes 2026 the most anticipated edition in The Hundred’s history.
Which Teams Are Playing in The Hundred 2026
The Hundred Competition 2026 features eight franchise teams representing major cities across England and Wales. Several squads have undergone major changes following new ownership deals, making this one of the most competitive seasons in tournament history.
| Team | Formerly Known As | Home Venue |
Key Players |
| MI London | Oval Invincibles | The Kia Oval | Sam Curran, Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Will Jacks, Trent Boult |
| London Spirit | London Spirit | Lord’s | James Coles, Zak Crawley |
| Manchester Super Giants | Manchester Originals | Emirates Old Trafford | Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, Noor Ahmad |
| Birmingham Phoenix | Birmingham Phoenix | Edgbaston | Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed, Donovan Ferreira, Mitchell Owen |
| Sunrisers Leeds | Northern Superchargers | Headingley | Liam Livingstone, Dewald Brevis, Jonny Bairstow, Adam Zampa |
| Southern Brave | Southern Brave | Ageas Bowl Southampton | Tim David, Ben Duckett, Finn Allen, Mitchell Santner |
| Trent Rockets | Trent Rockets | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | Finn Allen, Ben Duckett, Craig Overton, Matt Henry |
| Welsh Fire | Welsh Fire | Sophia Gardens Cardiff | Phil Salt, Joe Root, Rachin Ravindra, Lockie Ferguson |
MGLion covers all eight teams throughout The Hundred 2026, from squad news and injury updates to live match results.
The Hundred 2026 Qualification Rules and Playoff Format
Understanding the playoff format is important because only three teams qualify for the knockout stage of The Hundred Competition 2026.
How qualification works:
- The team finishing 1st in the standings qualifies directly for the final.
- Teams finishing 2nd and 3rd compete in the Eliminator.
- The Eliminator winner advances to the final.
- Teams are ranked based on total points earned during the league stage.
- Net Run Rate (NRR) is used if teams finish level on points.
As the tournament progresses, cricket fans can follow the playoff race, qualification scenarios, and knockout updates on mglionbook.com throughout The Hundred Competition 2026.
The Hundred 2026 Live Scores, Fixtures and Updates on MGLion
During major tournaments such as The Hundred, many users also search for how to get a cricket ID, compare cricket ID providers, and stay updated through trusted cricket communities. MGLion regularly publishes guides covering cricket IDs, match updates, and franchise cricket competitions from around the world. The group stage runs from July 21 to August 12, with each team competing for a place in the knockout stage. Below are the key fixtures scheduled during the tournament.
| Date | Match | Venue |
| July 21 | MI London vs Sunrisers Leeds | The Kia Oval |
| July 22 | Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire | Southampton |
| July 23 | London Spirit vs Manchester Super Giants | Lord’s |
| July 24 | Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets | Edgbaston |
| July 25 | Sunrisers Leeds vs Southern Brave | Leeds |
| July 25 | Welsh Fire vs MI London | Cardiff |
| July 26 | Manchester Super Giants vs Birmingham Phoenix | Manchester |
| July 26 | Trent Rockets vs London Spirit | Nottingham |
| July 27 | Southern Brave vs MI London | Southampton |
| July 28 | Sunrisers Leeds vs Manchester Super Giants | Leeds |
| July 29 | Welsh Fire vs Trent Rockets | Cardiff |
| July 29 | MI London vs London Spirit | The Kia Oval |
| July 30 | Southern Brave vs Birmingham Phoenix | Southampton |
| August 1 | Birmingham Phoenix vs Welsh Fire | Edgbaston |
| August 2 | MI London vs Manchester Super Giants | The Kia Oval |
| August 14 | Eliminator – 2nd vs 3rd | TBC |
| August 16 | Final – 1st vs Eliminator winner | Lord’s |
Fans can follow all fixtures, live scores, team news, and match updates on MGLion. During major tournaments such as The Hundred, users frequently visit dedicated cricket ID platforms for match information, player updates, and cricket-related services.
Upcoming Matches in The Hundred 2026
As the tournament progresses, fans closely follow upcoming fixtures to track qualification scenarios and team form. Key matches to watch:
- MI London vs Sunrisers Leeds – July 21 opening match sets the tone for the defending champions
- London Spirit vs Manchester Super Giants – July 23, one of the most anticipated early-season clashes
- Welsh Fire vs MI London – July 25 early test for defending champions away from home
- Sunrisers Leeds vs Manchester Super Giants – July 28 battle between two rebranded franchises
- MI London vs Manchester Super Giants – August 2 potential title decider between the two strongest squads
Matches involving MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Welsh Fire, and Sunrisers Leeds are expected to have the biggest impact on the standings and playoff qualification.
How Does The Hundred Cricket Format Work
| Rule | Detail |
| Balls per innings | 100 balls – not overs |
| Bowling sets | 5 or 10 consecutive balls per spell |
| Maximum per bowler | 20 balls per innings |
| Powerplay | 25 balls – 2 fielders outside circle |
| Group stage | Single round robin |
| Qualification | The top 3 teams reach knockouts |
| Eliminator | 2nd vs 3rd – winner meets 1st in the final. |
| Reserve days | Added for Eliminator and Final in 2026 |
Why Cricket Fans Follow The Hundred 2026 on MGLion
The Hundred has developed a strong following among Indian cricket fans. Many followers who watch the IPL, international T20 leagues, and The Hundred through MGLion also explore cricket ID services, cricket ID providers in India, and cricket-related updates throughout the season.
- IPL-backed franchises – MI London, Sunrisers Leeds, and Manchester Super Giants are owned by groups connected to Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants, making the tournament feel familiar to IPL followers
- International stars – Players like Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, and Rachin Ravindra, whom Indian fans follow closely through the IPL, are all playing in The Hundred 2026
- Fast 100-ball format – The compact format delivers results in around two and a half hours similar in pace and entertainment value to T20 cricket
- Evening match timings – Most matches start at 6:30 PM BST which translates to 11:00 PM IST, convenient for Indian viewers watching after work or during evening hours
- Fantasy cricket interest – The Hundred has gained significant traction on fantasy cricket platforms popular among Indian users, driving interest in player performances and match results
MGLion covers The Hundred 2026 with live updates and match coverage for cricket fans across India.
Top Players to Watch in The Hundred 2026
These five players are expected to have the biggest impact on the 2026 edition:
Jofra Archer – MI London
Back to full fitness and bowling at his devastating best. His ability to take wickets in the powerplay and bowl at the death makes him the most complete bowler in the competition. A proven match winner in knockout cricket.
Jos Buttler – Manchester Super Giants
England’s T20 captain brings explosive power at the top of the order. Buttler averages over 35 in T20 cricket and has the ability to win matches single-handedly in short formats.
Rashid Khan – MI London
Widely regarded as the best T20 spinner in the world. In the 100-ball format, where every delivery counts, Rashid Khan can change a match with both bat and ball in the same innings.
Jacob Bethell – Birmingham Phoenix
England’s most exciting young cricketer. Bethell offers left-handed top-order runs and handy off-spin. His ability to play match-winning innings under pressure makes him one of the most watchable players in the 2026 edition.
Rachin Ravindra – Welsh Fire
The New Zealand batter has been in outstanding form across all formats in 2025 and 2026. His ability to anchor an innings and accelerate when needed makes him invaluable for Welsh Fire’s batting lineup.
The Hundred 2026 Winner Predictions and Title Contenders
- Manchester Super Giants – Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen give them the most destructive top order in the competition
- MI London – Rashid Khan and Jofra Archer in the same team make them the most dangerous bowling attack. Defending champions with playoff experience
- Welsh Fire – Joe Root and Rachin Ravindra give them one of the deepest batting lineups in the tournament
- Birmingham Phoenix – Jacob Bethell and Mitchell Owen could be the surprise package of 2026
- Sunrisers Leeds – Liam Livingstone’s big hitting and Jonny Bairstow’s experience make them dangerous in knockout conditions
No team has won back-to-back in The Hundred’s history. MI London enters 2026 as defending champions, but the competition is as open as any previous edition.As interest in franchise cricket continues to grow, many fans use MGLion to follow live scores, team news, player updates, and information related to online cricket IDs. Readers looking to get a cricket ID or learn more about cricket ID providers can explore additional resources available on the platform.
Conclusion
The Hundred Competition 2026 has introduced new team identities, a franchise auction system, increased overseas participation, and stronger squads than ever before. With international stars, IPL-backed franchises, and a unique 100-ball format, the tournament promises four weeks of high-quality cricket.
As the race for the playoffs intensifies, fans can expect plenty of memorable performances and closely contested matches throughout the season. MGLion.co will be covering every match live from the opening game on July 21 to the final at Lord’s on August 16.
Fans following The Hundred 2026 often track live scores, player performances, qualification scenarios, and team news throughout the season. In addition to tournament coverage, MGLion provides resources related to cricket ID guides, online cricket ID information, and trusted cricket ID providers in India for users looking to stay connected with major cricket competitions.
The Hundred Competition 2026 FAQs
1 ) When did The Hundred 2026 start?
The Hundred 2026 began on July 21 with MI London vs. Sunrisers Leeds at The Kia Oval.
2 ) When is the Hundred 2026 final?
The final takes place on August 16, 2026, at Lord’s, the Home of Cricket.
3 ) Who are the defending champions?
MI London, formerly the Oval Invincibles, are the defending champions, having won the 2025 edition by 26 runs against Trent Rockets.
4 )How many teams play in The Hundred 2026?
Eight teams: MI London, London Spirit, Manchester Super Giants, Birmingham Phoenix, Sunrisers Leeds, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets, and Welsh Fire.
5 )How does The Hundred format work?
Each team bats for 100 balls. Bowlers bowl in sets of 5 or 10 balls with a maximum of 20 balls per bowler. The powerplay lasts 25 balls with only two fielders outside the circle.
6 ) What changed in The Hundred 2026?
Three teams were rebranded, the first-ever auction replaced the draft, overseas slots increased to four per team, and reserve days were added for knockout matches.
7) Where can fans follow The Hundred 2026 season?
Cricket fans across India can follow every match result, squad update, and live score on MGLion throughout the 2026 season.
8 )Where can Indian cricket fans follow The Hundred 2026?
Indian cricket fans can follow The Hundred 2026 through official broadcasters, live score platforms, and cricket-focused websites such as MGLion for fixtures, results, team news, and tournament updates.
9 )Where can users find cricket-related updates during The Hundred 2026?
Many cricket fans use MGLion to follow tournament coverage, match schedules, player news, and cricket-related resources throughout the season.
This content is for informational purposes only. All fixtures and squad information is accurate as of July 2026 and subject to change. Always check official ECB sources for the latest updates.
