The Hundred 2026: New Owners, New Identity, and a New Era Begins

The Hundred returns for its 2026 season with the biggest transformation since the competition was launched. From new team identities and fresh investment to a revamped trophy system and football star Jude Bellingham joining as an investor, this year's tournament marks the beginning of a new chapter for English cricket.

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a combined championship trophy, rewarding the franchise with the best overall performance across both the men's and women's competitions. Every victory, whether in the group stage, eliminator or final, earns four points, with the men's and women's results combined into a single standings table. Bonus points are awarded to teams that finish top of the league and qualify directly for the final, placing greater emphasis on success across both squads.

The competition has also undergone a major commercial transformation following more than £500 million in investment from international ownership groups. Every franchise now has overseas investors, with several teams adopting new identities linked to their owners. Oval Invincibles have become MI London, backed by the Ambani family's Mumbai Indians empire, while Northern Superchargers are now SunRisers Leeds under Sun Group ownership. Manchester Originals have been rebranded as Manchester Super Giants, reflecting their connection to IPL side Lucknow Super Giants.

England football superstar Jude Bellingham has also entered the world of cricket by acquiring a 1.2 percent stake in Birmingham Phoenix through Knighthead Capital Management, the investment group that owns Birmingham City. Beyond his financial involvement, Bellingham is expected to help promote grassroots cricket and encourage greater participation among young people in the local community.

The arrival of new owners has also brought dramatic visual changes. Several franchises have adopted colors inspired by their IPL counterparts. MI London now wears the iconic blue and gold of Mumbai Indians, SunRisers Leeds has switched to orange, Southern Brave now features the blue and red colors of Delhi Capitals, while Manchester Super Giants wear the familiar red-and-blue stripes of Lucknow Super Giants. London Spirit has retained its blue jersey but added the traditional MCC "egg and bacon" stripe as a tribute to Lord's.

Investment has also reshaped the player market. The Hundred's first auction under the new ownership structure produced record-breaking salaries, with England all-rounder James Coles earning £390,000 from London Spirit. Jordan Cox joined Welsh Fire for £200,000 after starring in last year's competition, while women's cricket also benefited from significant investment as stars including Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine and Dani Gibson secured lucrative contracts. Young spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman became one of the biggest stories after landing a £105,000 deal at just 18 years old.

The 2026 edition of The Hundred promises to be the most ambitious yet, combining global investment, stronger financial backing, exciting new branding and an innovative competition format. With world-class players, fresh rivalries and a modern identity, the tournament is aiming to establish itself as one of cricket's premier franchise competitions.