2026 season of The Hundred is shaping up to be a historic turning point for women’s cricket. With a landscape-shifting injection of capital and the introduction of a high-stakes auction system, the competition is no longer just a domestic summer highlight—it is a global powerhouse. From the blockbuster move of Smriti Mandhana to the steadfast retention of world number one Sophie Ecclestone, the pre-auction signing window has already defined the big three contenders for the upcoming season.
The Hundred Women’s 2026: Big pay boost and strategic ties with IPL powerhouses
The most significant headline for The Hundred Women’s 2026 is the staggering financial overhaul. Following a 70% stake acquisition by the RPSG Group (owners of the IPL’s Lucknow Super Giants) in the Manchester franchise and similar investments from other Indian giants like Reliance Industries (MI London), the league’s economic DNA has changed.
The total salary pot for women’s teams has doubled, skyrocketing by 100% to £880,000 per team. This surge means top-tier players can now command salaries in the region of £130,000, a figure that finally puts The Hundred in direct competition with the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for the title of the world’s most lucrative franchise tournament.
Furthermore, the competition has moved away from fixed salary bands to an IPL-style auction format. Teams are now operating under a salary cap and collar system, ensuring a minimum spend to maintain competitive balance. Ahead of the March 2026 auction, teams were allowed up to four direct signings (retentions or new acquisitions), leading to a flurry of activity that has seen the Manchester Originals rebranded as the Manchester Super Giants.
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The Hundred Women’s Squads: 2026 Pre-Auction Signings and Retentions
The pre-auction window, which closed in late January, has seen franchises lock in their core identities. The standout story is the Manchester Super Giants, who have assembled a Galacticos style roster. By retaining Ecclestone, the world’s leading T20 bowler, and pairing her with Indian icon Mandhana and Australian legend Meg Lanning, they have arguably created the most formidable trio in short-format history.
Below is the complete list of high-profile direct signings and retentions confirmed ahead of the 2026 auction:
| Team | Key Retentions & Direct Signings |
| Manchester Super Giants | Smriti Mandhana (pre-signed), Meg Lanning (pre-signed from Oval Invincibles), Sophie Ecclestone (retained) |
| London Spirit | Grace Harris (retained), Charlie Dean (retained), Marizanne Kapp (pre-signed from Oval Invincibles), Mahika Gaur (pre-signed from Manchester Originals) |
| Trent Rockets | Nat Sciver-Brunt (retained), Sophia Dunkley (pre-signed from Welsh Fire), Ash Gardner (retained), Kim Garth (pre-signed) |
| MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles) | Hayley Matthews (pre-signed from Welsh Fire), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (pre-signed from Southern Brave), Melie Kerr (pre-signed from Manchester Originals) |
| Southern Brave | Lauren Bell (retained), Maia Bouchier (retained) |
| Sunrisers Leeds | Kate Cross (retained), Annabel Sutherland (retained), Phoebe Litchfield (retained) |
| Birmingham Phoenix | Ellyse Perry (retained), Alice Capsey (pre-signed from Oval Invicibles), Lauren Filer (pre-signed from Manchester Originals), Lucy Hamilton (pre-signed) |
| Welsh Fire | Georgia Wareham (pre-signed from Northern Superchargers), Freya Kemp (pre-signed from Southern Brave) |
The London Spirit have also made waves by securing South African powerhouse Marizanne Kapp, while Trent Rockets have maintained their core by keeping the world-class duo of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Ashleigh Gardner.
As we head toward the inaugural player auction in March, these early moves have set a high bar. With only a few spots left for the remaining international stars, the competition for the final roster slots will be fiercer than ever.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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