The Hundred Women’s 2026 preview promises one of the most exciting editions in the tournament’s history. Scheduled from July 21 to August 16, 2026, the competition enters a new era with a revamped team landscape, a record-breaking player auction and increased financial investment.
For the first time since the tournament began in 2021, the traditional draft system has been replaced by a player auction held in London. The salary cap has also doubled to £880,000 per team, allowing franchises to secure some of the biggest names in women’s cricket and making the competition even more competitive.
The Hundred Women’s Teams
The arrival of new investors has led to several franchise rebrands while retaining the competition’s eight-city structure.
The Hundred Women’s teams for the 2026 season are:
- MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles)
- Manchester Super Giants (formerly Manchester Originals)
- SunRisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers)
- London Spirit
- Southern Brave
- Trent Rockets
- Birmingham Phoenix
- Welsh Fire
The rebranding has added fresh excitement to the league, with several franchises entering the season under new identities and ownership groups.
The Hundred Women’s Players to Watch
Several world-class stars are expected to headline the tournament.
Manchester Super Giants have assembled one of the strongest squads in the competition. Indian opener Smriti Mandhana joins forces with former Australia captain Meg Lanning, while England spinner Sophie Ecclestone and wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh provide strength in both departments.
Trent Rockets will once again rely on the brilliance of Nat Sciver-Brunt, who received one of the highest contracts in the inaugural auction. She will be supported by Australian all rounder Ashleigh Gardner and experienced opener Beth Mooney, creating one of the most dangerous batting units.
Birmingham Phoenix feature a balanced squad led by young England star Alice Capsey, alongside Australian legend Ellyse Perry and experienced opener Tammy Beaumont.
Meanwhile, SunRisers Leeds boast an impressive international lineup including Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, Deepti Sharma and Kate Cross, making them strong contenders for the title.
Biggest Storylines
One of the biggest talking points will be how teams adapt to the new auction system. With squads completely reshaped, coaches will need to build chemistry quickly before the tournament gets underway. Several franchises have retained only a handful of players from previous seasons, making early consistency a major challenge.
Another key storyline is the impact of the recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Many players enter the Hundred after spending several weeks competing in English conditions, giving them valuable experience before the tournament begins. Those who starred during the World Cup will look to carry that momentum into the 100-ball competition.
The franchise rebrands also add another layer of intrigue. Teams like MI London will face immediate pressure to justify their new identity with strong performances on the field. Fans will be eager to see how these revamped franchises perform under fresh ownership and higher expectations.
With record-breaking investments, elite international talent and a brand-new auction format, the Hundred Women’s 2026 is set to usher in a new chapter for women’s franchise cricket. The combination of stronger squads, bigger contracts and exciting storylines should make this one of the most competitive and entertaining editions of the tournament to date.
