Karan The Hundred 2026 is about to get a complete makeover.
For the first time, the tournament will use a full auction system instead of the draft format that teams have used since the competition started.
This change means fans will get to watch intense bidding wars as franchises rebuild their squads from scratch.
The auction will take place across two days in March 2026.
The Hundred 2026 Auction Date, Time, Live Streaming TV Channels
More than 400 players from around the world will go under the hammer selection proces as teams fight to build winning combinations within their budget limits.
When Is The Hundred 2026 Auction?
The auction has been scheduled for two separate days, with the women’s and men’s competitions held on consecutive dates.
The women’s auction will take place on March 11, 2026. Teams will bid for female players to complete their squads after pre-auction signings.
The men’s auction follows on March 12, 2026. This is when the biggest names in men’s cricket will be sold to the eight franchises.
Both auctions start at the same time each day. Fans in the UK can tune in from 9:45 AM GMT.
For viewers in India and other Asian countries, the hundred 2026 auction time is 3:15 PM IST.
The Hundred 2026 Auction Date and Time Overview
Here’s a quick breakdown of all the important timing details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Women’s Auction | March 11, 2026 |
| Men’s Auction | March 12, 2026 |
| Start Time (GMT) | 9:45 AM |
| Start Time (IST) | 3:15 PM |
| Format | Live Player Auction |
| Expected Players | 400+ |
This marks a big shift from the previous years, when teams picked players through a draft process.
Now, teams with bigger budgets can outbid rivals for the players they want most.
To understand more about how teams will operate during the auction, you can read about What Is The Hundred Auction? Format, Rules, and Salary Cap Explained.
Where to Watch The Hundred 2026 Auction Live?
Fans won’t miss a single moment of the action. The hundred 2026 auction live streaming will be available through multiple platforms, depending on your location.
TV Coverage in the United Kingdom
Sky Sports will provide complete coverage of both auction days. UK viewers can watch on two dedicated channels:
| Channel | Coverage Type |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports Main Event | Live TV Broadcast |
| Sky Sports Cricket | Live TV Broadcast |
Both channels will broadcast the full auctions, including expert analysis and commentary between bidding rounds.
For fans wondering about the hundred 2026 auction tv channel, Sky Sports is the official broadcaster in the UK. They’ll cover every player sold, every bid raised, and every squad completed.
Global Live Streaming
International fans don’t need to worry about geo-restrictions. The Hundred has made the auction accessible worldwide through a free streaming option.
The official YouTube channel of The Hundred will stream both auction days live.
This means viewers from any country can watch without paying for subscriptions or dealing with broadcasting rights issues.
The YouTube stream gives fans:
- Free access from anywhere in the world
- Live coverage of all bidding action
- No registration or payment required
- Replay availability after the auction ends
This approach ensures cricket fans globally can follow which players end up at which franchise, making it one of the most accessible auction events in franchise cricket.
Pre-Auction Signings: How Teams Prepared?
Before the auction began, teams were allowed to lock in some players directly.
This gave franchises the chance to build a core squad before entering the bidding war.
Each team could sign up to three players directly. They also had the option to retain one player from the previous season.
These early signings reduced the money available during the auction.
Men’s teams started with a salary cap of £2.05 million, but after direct signings, most teams had around £1.1 million left for the auction.
Women’s teams had £880,000 total, leaving them between £520,000 and £570,000 depending on how many players they signed early.
If you want to see all the players available during the bidding, check out The Hundred Auction List of registered players.
Budget Breakdown After Direct Signings
| Competition | Total Salary Cap | Money Spent Pre-Auction | Remaining Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Teams | £2.05 million | £950,000 | £1.1 million |
| Women’s Teams (4 signings) | £880,000 | £360,000 | £520,000 |
| Women’s Teams (3 signings) | £880,000 | £310,000 | £570,000 |
This financial structure means teams need to be smart during the auction. They can’t just throw money at every big name. Balance matters.
Teams and Their Pre-Auction Squads
Here’s how each team used their direct signing options before the auction:
- Trent Rockets secured Sophia Dunkley, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, and Nat Sciver-Brunt for the women’s team. On the men’s side, they signed Tom Banton, Tim David, Ben Duckett, and Mitchell Santner.
- Southern Brave locked in Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Laura Wolvaardt. Their men’s squad includes Jofra Archer, Jamie Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Tristan Stubbs.
- London Spirit built around Charlie Dean, Mahika Gaur, Grace Harris, and Marizanne Kapp for the women. The men’s team brought in Dewald Brevis, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, and Adam Zampa.
- Birmingham Phoenix went with Alice Capsey, Lauren Filer, Lucy Hamilton, and Ellyse Perry. Their men’s signings are Rehan Ahmed, Jacob Bethell, Donovan Ferreira, and Mitchell Owen.
- Manchester Super Giants secured Sophie Ecclestone, Meg Lanning, and Smriti Mandhana. The men’s team added Noor Ahmad, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, and Heinrich Klaasen.
- MI London signed Melie Kerr, Hayley Matthews, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge for the women. Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Rashid Khan, and Nicholas Pooran form the men’s core.
- Sunrisers Leeds picked Kate Cross, Phoebe Litchfield, and Annabel Sutherland. On the men’s side, they have Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Nathan Ellis, and Mitchell Marsh.
- Welsh Fire finalized Freya Kemp, Georgia Voll, and Georgia Wareham. Their men’s squad features Marco Jansen, Rachin Ravindra, Phil Salt, and Chris Woakes.
These signings show how teams are planning their strategies. Some went heavy on international stars, while others kept budget flexibility for the auction.
For detailed rules on how the auction will work, read The Hundred 2026 auction rules.
Expert Insight: What Makes This Auction Different
This isn’t just another player sale. The shift from draft to auction changes everything about how The Hundred teams are built.
In a draft system, teams pick in order. The weakest teams get first choice, which helps balance competition. But in an auction, money talks. Franchises can target specific players and outbid rivals if they’re willing to pay.
This creates interesting tactical decisions. Do you spend big on two or three superstars and fill the rest with budget players? Or do you spread the money evenly to build depth?
The pre-auction signings add another layer. Teams that spent heavily early now have less firepower during bidding. Teams that held back could dominate the auction and grab players others can’t afford.
Watch for bidding wars around genuine match-winners. Players who can change games in 20 balls, bowlers who can defend any total, and all-rounders who give tactical flexibility will drive prices up fast.
The auction also gives younger players a shot. If a domestic prospect catches the eye of multiple teams, they could land a contract that changes their career. That’s the beauty of an open bidding system.
Why The Hundred 2026 Auction Matters?
This auction will reshape the entire tournament. Teams aren’t just tweaking their squads.
They’re starting from scratch and building completely new combinations.
Here’s why the hundred 2026 auction date is such a big deal:
- International stars become available to any team willing to pay
- Young players get opportunities they might not have in a draft system
- Teams can finally address specific weaknesses in their lineup
- Fans get to see genuine competition for the best talent
With over 400 players registered, expect surprises. A player everyone thinks will go cheap could spark a bidding war.
A big name might not attract the interest they expected. That unpredictability makes auctions exciting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Hundred 2026 auction?
The women’s auction takes place on March 11, 2026, and the men’s auction is on March 12, 2026. Both start at 9:45 AM GMT (3:15 PM IST).
- Where can I watch the Hundred auction live?
UK viewers can watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket. International fans can stream it for free on The Hundred’s official YouTube channel.
- How many players will be auctioned?
More than 400 players from around the world are expected to go under the hammer across both days.
- What’s the salary cap for teams?
Men’s teams have a total salary cap of £2.05 million. Women’s teams have £880,000 to build their squads.
- Why did The Hundred switch to an auction format?
The auction format gives teams more control over building their squads and creates more excitement for fans compared to the previous draft system.
Final Thoughts
The auction on March 11 and 12, 2026, will set the stage for the upcoming season of The Hundred.
Teams have already locked in their core players through direct signings. Now comes the real battle as franchises compete for the remaining talent.
Whether you’re watching on Sky Sports or streaming on YouTube, the auction promises entertainment beyond just cricket.
It’s where strategy, budget management, and quick decisions come together.
Fans will finally see which teams planned smartly and which ones overpaid for big names.
Mark your calendars for these two days. The Hundred 2026 starts taking shape when the hammer falls on the first player.
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