Big changes are coming to The Hundred.
The tournament is moving away from its draft system and introducing a full-blown auction.
Teams won’t just pick players in order anymore. They’ll have to fight for them with cash.
The hundred 2026 auction date has been set for March 2026, spread across two days.
The women’s competition goes first, then the men’s event follows.
More than 400 players will find out their value as franchises rebuild from the ground up.
The Hundred 2026 Auction Date, Start Time, Live Streaming TV
Auction Timeline: When It All Happens?
The organizers split the auction into two separate events to give each competition proper attention.
Women’s players go under the hammer on March 11, 2026. Eight teams will bid against each other to fill their squads.
Some franchises have already spent money on direct signings, but plenty of roster spots remain open.
The men’s auction takes place the following day, March 12, 2026. This is where the biggest contracts get handed out.
International superstars, proven domestic performers, and breakout talents all compete for attention.
The hundred 2026 auction time is identical for both days. Action starts at 9:45 AM GMT.
For fans in India and neighboring countries, that’s 3:15 PM IST. The timing works well for viewers across multiple time zones.
Key Auction Information at a Glance
| Competition | Date | Start Time (GMT) | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Auction | March 11, 2026 | 9:45 AM | 3:15 PM |
| Men’s Auction | March 12, 2026 | 9:45 AM | 3:15 PM |
The format represents a total overhaul. Instead of predetermined picking orders, teams now compete financially for every player.
The franchise is willing to pay the most wins. It’s simple but creates intense drama.
For a complete breakdown of how bidding works, read What Is The Hundred Auction? Format, Rules, and Salary Cap Explained.
Broadcasting and Streaming: Your Viewing Options
Catching the auction live won’t be a problem. The hundred 2026 auction live streaming will reach fans globally through different platforms.
TV Coverage for UK Viewers
Sky Sports handles the UK broadcast. They’re offering coverage on two channels so fans can choose their preferred option.
| Platform | Channel | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Sports | Main Event | Full Live Broadcast |
| Sky Sports | Cricket | Full Live Broadcast |
Anyone asking about the Hundred 2026 auction tv channel for UK coverage should tune into Sky Sports. Both channels will carry complete coverage, including expert commentary and analysis segments between bidding rounds.
Free Global Access via YouTube
The Hundred’s official YouTube channel solves the international viewing problem. Fans anywhere in the world can watch both auctions without subscriptions or regional restrictions.
This approach breaks from the typical franchise cricket model. Usually, auctions get locked behind pay walls or broadcasting deals that exclude certain regions. The Hundred is opening it up completely.
The YouTube stream provides:
- Free access from any country
- No registration requirements
- Full auction coverage matching TV broadcasts
- Replay options for moments you miss
This makes the auction accessible to cricket fans in regions where The Hundred might not have traditional broadcast partners.
How Teams Prepared Their Budget?
Franchises didn’t arrive at the hundred 2026 auction date and time with blank slates. The rules allowed strategic pre-auction moves that shaped each team’s financial position.
Every team could sign up to three players directly before the auction. They also had the option to retain one player from the previous season.
These early decisions carried financial consequences. Men’s teams began with a £2.05 million salary cap. After direct signings, most franchises have approximately £1.1 million remaining.
Women’s teams started at £880,000 total. Depending on how many players they signed early, they’re left with between £520,000 and £570,000 for auction day.
Check The Hundred Auction List of registered players to see who’s still available for bidding.
Money Breakdown After Pre-Auction Activity
| Squad Type | Total Cap | Already Spent | Remaining for Auction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Teams | £2.05 million | £950,000 | £1.1 million |
| Women’s (4 signings) | £880,000 | £360,000 | £520,000 |
| Women’s (3 signings) | £880,000 | £310,000 | £570,000 |
These numbers tell you which teams have financial flexibility and which ones need to spend carefully. A franchise that went heavy on expensive direct signings can’t afford bidding wars during the auction.
Pre-Auction Signings Across All Teams
Each franchise approached the direct signing window differently. Their choices reveal strategic thinking about team composition.
- Trent Rockets loaded up on proven performers. The women’s squad features Nat Sciver-Brunt, Ash Gardner, Sophia Dunkley, and Kim Garth. Their men’s team secured Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Tim David, and Mitchell Santner.
- Southern Brave mixed experience with emerging talent. Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues, Lauren Bell, and Maia Bouchier form the women’s core. The men landed Jofra Archer, Jamie Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Tristan Stubbs.
- London Spirit prioritized all-round capability. Marizanne Kapp, Grace Harris, Charlie Dean, and Mahika Gaur handle the women’s side. Liam Livingstone, Adam Zampa, Dewald Brevis, and Jamie Overton anchor the men.
- Birmingham Phoenix went for youth and explosiveness. Alice Capsey, Ellyse Perry, Lauren Filer, and Lucy Hamilton make up the women’s group. The men brought in Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed, Donovan Ferreira, and Mitchell Owen.
- Manchester Super Giants invested in big names. Meg Lanning, Sophie Ecclestone, and Smriti Mandhana dominate the women’s lineup. Jos Buttler leads the men alongside Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Dawson, and Noor Ahmad.
- MI London stacked their roster with T20 specialists. Hayley Matthews, Melie Kerr, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge bring firepower to the women’s batting. Sam Curran, Rashid Khan, Will Jacks, and Nicholas Pooran provide depth for the men.
- Sunrisers Leeds focused on emerging talent. Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, and Kate Cross form the women’s foundation. Harry Brook, Mitchell Marsh, Brydon Carse, and Nathan Ellis complete the men’s core.
- Welsh Fire balanced youth and experience. Georgia Wareham, Georgia Voll, and Freya Kemp handle women’s duties. Phil Salt, Chris Woakes, Marco Jansen, and Rachin Ravindra round out the men’s signings.
These moves set the foundation, but every team needs more players to complete competitive squads. That’s where the auction becomes critical.
Learn more about auction mechanics at The Hundred 2026 auction rules.
Expert Insight: The Psychology of Auction Bidding
Switching to an auction format changes how teams think about roster construction.
Draft systems favor weaker teams. They pick first, getting access to top talent before stronger franchises can grab them. This creates natural competitive balance over time.
Auctions ignore past performance. Your budget is your power. A championship-winning team and a last-place squad both start with equal salary caps. Success depends on spending smart, not picking early.
This creates pressure during live bidding. When two franchises both target the same player, someone needs to back down. Do you blow your budget on one game-changer? Or do you let them go and sign three solid contributors instead?
The pre-auction signings complicate things further. Teams that spent heavily early now have limited resources. But they also secured players without competitive bidding, possibly at below-market rates compared to auction prices.
Watch for strategic patterns. Some teams might target specific roles. A franchise weak in powerplay batting could go aggressive on explosive openers. Another squad lacking spin options might chase specialist spinners.
The auction exposes team priorities in real time. You see what they value, where they’re willing to splurge, and when they refuse to overpay.
My Take: Why This Auction Will Define the Season?
These two March days carry massive weight for the entire 2026 competition. Every squad gets torn down and rebuilt. Fresh starts for everyone.
The auction matters because:
- Top international players become available to whoever bids the highest
- Young domestic cricketers can earn career-changing contracts through competitive bidding
- Teams can address specific weaknesses that held them back previously
- Fans get genuine unpredictability instead of predetermined draft orders
A promising English spinner had a decent season but wasn’t a big name. In a draft, they get picked in the middle rounds.
In an auction, if three teams all need spin bowling, that player’s price could explode. Suddenly, they’re commanding fees that match established internationals.
That’s auction magic. You can’t predict it. Teams panic and overpay. Players go for bargains.
The whole competitive landscape shifts based on who blinks first in bidding wars.
Some franchises will nail their strategy and build balanced squads at reasonable prices.
Others will get caught in bidding wars, overspend on marquee names, and struggle to fill remaining roster spots within budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When exactly does The Hundred 2026 auction take place?
The women’s auction is on March 11, 2026, and the men’s auction follows on March 12, 2026.
- What time should I tune in to watch?
Both auctions start at 9:45 AM GMT (3:15 PM IST) on their respective days.
- Where can international fans watch the auction?
The Hundred’s official YouTube channel will stream both auctions live for free to viewers worldwide.
- Which channel shows the auction on UK television?
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket will both broadcast complete coverage of both auction days.
- How many cricketers are registered for the auction?
More than 400 players from around the world have registered across both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Final Thoughts
Mark your calendar for March 11 and 12. Those dates will shape the entire Hundred 2026 season.
Teams have already made their pre-auction moves, but the bulk of squad building happens during live bidding.
Sky Sports gives UK fans comprehensive TV coverage. International viewers get free YouTube access.
Either way, you won’t miss the drama as teams compete financially for the players they want.
Some franchises will execute perfect auction strategies. Others will make expensive mistakes they’ll regret when the season starts.
That’s what makes auction formats compelling. Every team thinks they’ll dominate.
By the end of day two, reality has already separated the smart spenders from the desperate bidders.
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