The Hundred 2026 Auctions: A New Era of Cricket and Player Value

The 2026 edition of The Hundred marks a significant shift in the tournament’s structure with the introduction of player auctions. Following the successful Women’s Hundred auction held on March 11th at Piccadilly Lights in Central London, the Men’s Hundred auction took place on March 12th, ushering in a new era of player acquisition and valuation. This year’s auctions have seen unprecedented financial commitments, sparking both excitement and debate within the cricket community.

A Landmark Year for The Hundred

This is the first year The Hundred has implemented an auction system, moving away from previous player selection methods. The Women’s Hundred auction saw Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine become the most expensive acquisitions, both fetching £210,000. The Men’s auction followed suit, with significant sums changing hands as franchises competed for top talent. Wisden provides a comprehensive list of players sold and their final prices.

Franchise Retentions and Pre-Auction Signings

Prior to the auctions, each of the eight franchises had already secured a core group of players through retention and direct signings. Here’s a breakdown of those players:

• Birmingham Phoenix: Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed, Mitch Owen, Donovan Ferreira
• London Spirit: Jamie Overton, Liam Livingstone, Adam Zampa, Dewald Brevis
• MI London: Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran
• Manchester Super Giants: Jos Buttler, Noor Ahmad, Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Dawson
• Southern Brave: Jofra Archer, Jamie Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Tristan Stubbs
• Sunrisers Leeds: Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Ellis
• Trent Rockets: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Tim David, Mitchell Santner
• Welsh Fire: Chris Woakes, Phil Salt, Rachin Ravindra, Marco Jansen

Key Players Sold at the Men’s Hundred 2026 Auction

The Men’s Hundred auction saw a flurry of activity, with several players attracting significant bids. Here’s a snapshot of some notable acquisitions, as reported by The Guardian:

• James Coles (London Spirit) – £390,000
• Dan Lawrence (SunRisers Leeds) – £210,000
• Scott Currie (Birmingham Phoenix) – £210,000
• Tom Curran (MI London) – £260,000
• Adil Rashid (Southern Brave) – £250,000
• Joe Root (Welsh Fire) – £240,000
• Jordan Cox (Welsh Fire) – £300,000
• Aiden Markram (Manchester Super Giants) – £200,000
• Jonny Bairstow (London Spirit) – £160,000
• James Vince (MI London) – £190,000
• Sam Billings (Trent Rockets) – £180,000
• Finn Allen (Trent Rockets) – £160,000
• Josh Tongue (Manchester Super Giants) – £200,000
• Abrar Ahmed (SunRisers Leeds) – £190,000
• Thomas Rew (Southern Brave) – £80,000
• Gus Atkinson (Manchester Super Giants) – £70,000
• Saqib Mahmood (Birmingham Phoenix) – £150,000
• Sonny Baker (Manchester Super Giants) – £95,000
• Luke Wood (Southern Brave) – £130,000
• Zak Crawley (SunRisers Leeds) – £180,000
• Ryan Rickelton (SunRisers Leeds) – £150,000
• David Miller (Southern Brave) – £110,000
• Usman Tariq (Birmingham Phoenix) – £140,000

What’s Next for The Hundred?

The introduction of auctions signifies a new chapter for The Hundred, with increased financial stakes and a more competitive player market. As Sportstar reports, 247 players were up for grabs in the first-ever Hundred player auction. The auctions have undoubtedly raised the profile of the tournament and generated considerable buzz among fans. The focus now shifts to the upcoming season, where fans will witness these newly formed squads in action.