Franchise cricket just got more interesting. The Hundred is ditching its draft system and going all-in with a proper auction for 2026.
Teams will battle it out with their wallets to build squads from scratch, and fans get to watch every moment of the drama.
Over 400 cricketers have registered for the hundred 2026 auction date, which falls across two days in March.
The women’s competition goes first, followed by the men’s event the next day.
Both auctions promise fireworks as franchises try to outbid each other for match-winners.
The Hundred 2026 Auction Date, Time, Live Streaming TV Channels
Confirmed Dates for The Hundred 2026 Auction
The tournament organizers have locked in specific dates for both auctions.
This gives teams time to finalize their strategies and gives fans time to clear their schedules.
March 11, 2026, is when the women’s auction takes place.
Eight franchises will compete to sign the best female cricketers from around the world.
Teams already have some players locked in through direct signings, but most squads remain incomplete, and you also need to understand the players selection process.
The men’s auction follows 24 hours later on March 12, 2026. This is where the real money gets thrown around.
Big-name international stars, domestic talent, and emerging prospects all go under the hammer.
Both events kick off at 9:45 AM GMT.
That’s early morning for UK fans but perfect timing for viewers in Asia, where the Hundred 2026 auction time translates to 3:15 PM IST.
Complete Auction Schedule Breakdown
Here’s everything you need to know about timing:
| Event | Date | GMT Start | IST Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 identical start times make it easy for fans to remember. Whether you’re tuning in from London or Mumbai, you know exactly when the action begins.
This format change represents a big shift. Instead of teams taking turns picking players, they now bid against each other. The highest bidder wins. Simple, but intense.
For full details on how the bidding process works, check out What Is The Hundred Auction? Format, Rules, and Salary Cap Explained.
How to Watch: Live TV and Streaming Options
Missing the auction isn’t an option for serious cricket fans. Luckily, the hundred 2026 auction live streaming will reach viewers worldwide through multiple platforms.
Sky Sports Takes Control in the UK
British fans have two channels to choose from. Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket will both carry the full broadcast. You get live coverage, expert panels, and analysis between bidding rounds.
| Broadcaster | Channel Options | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Sports | Main Event, Cricket | United Kingdom |
If you’re asking about the hundred 2026 auction tv channel for UK coverage, Sky Sports has exclusive rights.
Their commentary team will break down each signing and explain what it means for team balance.
Free YouTube Stream for Global Fans
The Hundred’s official YouTube channel solves the problem for international viewers.
No subscription needed. No regional blocks. Just free access to the entire auction.
This matters because franchise auctions usually get locked behind paywalls or regional broadcasting deals.
The Hundred is making sure cricket fans everywhere can follow along, whether they’re in Australia, South Africa, or the Caribbean.
The stream quality matches TV broadcasts, and you can rewatch key moments later if you miss them live.
What Teams Did Before Auction Day?
Franchises didn’t wait for the auction to start building squads. The rules allowed each team to sign up to three players directly and retain one from last season.
These pre-auction moves shaped the hundred 2026 auction date and time strategy for every franchise. Money spent early means less ammunition during bidding.
Men’s teams started with £2.05 million total. After direct signings, most have roughly £1.1 million left.
Women’s teams had £880,000 to work with, leaving between £520,000 and £570,000 for auction day, depending on how many players they signed early.
To see which players are still available for bidding, read The Hundred Auction List of registered players.
Financial Landscape After Early Signings
| Team Type | Starting Cap | Pre-Auction Spending | Auction Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Squads | £2.05M | £950,000 | £1.1M |
| Women’s Squads (4 signed) | £880,000 | £360,000 | £520,000 |
| Women’s Squads (3 signed) | £880,000 | £310,000 | £570,000 |
Smart teams saved budget for the auction. They know bidding wars can push prices up fast when multiple franchises want the same player.
Who Got Signed Before the Auction Started?
Every franchise made strategic moves before auction day. Some went star-heavy, others kept things balanced.
- Trent Rockets brought in serious firepower. Their women’s squad features Nat Sciver-Brunt and Ash Gardner alongside Sophia Dunkley and Kim Garth. The men locked down Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Tim David, and Mitchell Santner.
- Southern Brave focused on variety. Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues join Lauren Bell and Maia Bouchier for the women. Jofra Archer headlines the men’s group with Jamie Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Tristan Stubbs.
- London Spirit secured all-round strength. Marizanne Kapp and Grace Harris complement Charlie Dean and Mahika Gaur. The men’s side added Liam Livingstone, Adam Zampa, Dewald Brevis, and Jamie Overton.
- Birmingham Phoenix went young and explosive. Alice Capsey and Ellyse Perry lead a women’s squad including Lauren Filer and Lucy Hamilton. The men brought in Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed, Donovan Ferreira, and Mitchell Owen.
- Manchester Super Giants invested in experience. Meg Lanning, Sophie Ecclestone, and Smriti Mandhana form a formidable women’s core. Jos Buttler anchors the men’s team with Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Dawson, and Noor Ahmad.
- MI London packed their squad with T20 specialists. Hayley Matthews, Melie Kerr, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge take care of the women’s batting. Sam Curran, Rashid Khan, Will Jacks, and Nicholas Pooran give the men serious depth.
- Sunrisers Leeds built around young talent. Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland join Kate Cross. Harry Brook leads a men’s squad featuring Mitchell Marsh, Brydon Carse, and Nathan Ellis.
- Welsh Fire mixed youth and experience. Georgia Wareham, Georgia Voll, and Freya Kemp create balance in the women’s team. The men signed Phil Salt, Chris Woakes, Marco Jansen, and Rachin Ravindra.
These signings set the foundation. Now teams need to fill gaps and add depth through the auction.
Understanding the mechanics helps appreciate team strategies. That’s where The Hundred 2026 auction rules become important reading.
Tactical View: Why This Auction Format Changes Everything
The shift from draft to auction flips team-building logic completely.
In a draft, weak teams pick first. That creates natural balance. The worst performers get access to the best available talent before stronger teams can grab them.
Auctions work differently. Money decides everything. A team that finished last can still miss out on their top target if another franchise bids higher.
This rewards smart financial planning over previous season performance.
It also creates psychological pressure. When two teams both want the same player, someone has to blink first.
Do you keep raising your paddle and blow your budget on one star? Or do you let them go and spread money across three solid performers?
Pre-auction signings add complexity. Teams that spent big early now have limited firepower.
But they also secured players without competition, potentially at bargain prices compared to auction rates.
Watch for patterns during bidding. Some franchises might target specific player types.
A team weak in death bowling might go aggressive on pace options. Another squad lacking middle-order power could chase big-hitting all-rounders.
The auction reveals team strategy in real time. You see their priorities, their budget limits, and their willingness to take risks.
Why These Two Days Matter for The Hundred?
The March dates will define the entire 2026 season. Every squad gets rebuilt. Every team starts fresh.
Here’s what makes the auction significant:
- International stars become available to any franchise with enough money
- Domestic cricketers get life-changing contracts if multiple teams bid
- Squads can fix weaknesses that hurt them in previous seasons
- Fans witness genuine competition for talent instead of predetermined picks
Think about a scenario like this: imagine a young English fast bowler who had one good season.
In a draft, they might get picked late. In an auction, if three teams all need pace, that bowler’s price could skyrocket.
Suddenly, they’re earning more than established names.
That unpredictability makes auctions compelling. You can’t script them. Teams make mistakes.
Players go for crazy amounts or surprisingly little. The entire landscape can shift in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the exact dates for The Hundred 2026 auction?
The women’s auction happens on March 11, 2026, and the men’s auction takes place on March 12, 2026.
- What time does the auction start each day?
Both auctions begin at 9:45 AM GMT, which is 3:15 PM IST for viewers in India.
- Can I watch the auction for free?
Yes. The Hundred’s official YouTube channel will stream both auctions live at no cost to viewers worldwide.
- Which channel broadcasts the auction in the UK?
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket will both provide live television coverage throughout both auction days.
- How many players will be auctioned?
More than 400 cricketers from around the world have registered for the auction across both men’s and women’s competitions.
Wrapping Up
Circle March 11 and 12 on your calendar. Those two days reshape The Hundred for the season ahead.
Teams have their core players sorted through direct signings, but the real squad building happens during live bidding.
Whether you watch on Sky Sports or stream it free on YouTube, you’ll see strategy, panic, smart decisions, and expensive mistakes all happening in real time.
Some teams will nail their auction strategy. Others will overpay for names and regret it later.
That’s the beauty of auction formats. Every franchise starts the day thinking they’ll dominate.
By evening, some teams celebrate while others scramble to justify their spending.
The only certainty is that cricket fans won’t want to miss a minute of it.
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