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The next phase of The Hundred will bring a major change to how teams build their squads. After several seasons using a draft system, the tournament will introduce a full player auction, marking one of the most significant shifts in the competition since it began in 2021.
The move comes as the tournament enters a new financial era following outside investment in the eight franchises. With more money flowing into the competition and rising demand for global stars, organisers have opted for an auction model that allows teams to compete directly for players while operating within a salary cap.
Here is a complete guide to how the Hundred auction will work, how much money is involved, and how teams will construct their squads.
Why The Hundred is Switching to an Auction
Since its launch, The Hundred has used a draft system where players were selected in salary bands and assigned to teams in rounds. While the format helped create balanced squads, it also limited the ability of franchises to target specific players.
The new auction format changes that completely.
Instead of waiting for their draft turn, teams will now bid openly for players, allowing them to prioritise certain roles, build stronger cores and pursue star players more aggressively.
The shift is also tied to the broader commercial growth of the tournament. Franchise investment and increased broadcast interest have pushed organisers to create a player market more similar to the systems used in major global leagues.
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The Salary Cap at The Hundred: How Much Teams Can Spend
Even with the introduction of an auction, spending will still be controlled through a salary cap, often referred to as a salary pot.
For the upcoming season, budgets have increased significantly:
- Men’s teams salary pot: about £2.05 million
- Women’s teams salary pot: about £880,000
These figures represent a substantial increase from earlier seasons of the competition. The aim is to ensure that the tournament remains competitive when compared with other franchise leagues around the world while still maintaining financial balance between teams.
The salary cap applies to the entire squad, meaning every contract signed—whether before or during the auction—counts toward the total budget.
Squad Size Rules at The Hundred
Each of the eight teams in The Hundred must operate within clear squad limits.
For the men’s competition:
- Minimum squad size: 16 players
- Maximum squad size: 18 players
- Maximum four overseas players
For the women’s competition:
- Squads will consist of around 15 players
These limits are important because they shape how teams approach the auction. Franchises must balance star signings with affordable domestic talent to ensure they can fill every slot without exceeding their budget.
Pre-Auction Signings: Building a Core
Before the main auction takes place, teams will have the opportunity to sign a small group of players directly.
Each franchise can make up to four pre-auction signings. These players often include:
- Leading international stars
- England centrally contracted players
- Key performers from previous seasons
However, these signings reduce the money available for the auction.
For example, if a team signs four players before the auction, a large portion of its salary cap is already allocated, leaving less money for bidding later.
This system allows franchises to secure a core group of players while still leaving room for competition in the auction itself.
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How The Hundred Auction Will Work
The auction will follow a structured process designed to ensure fairness and transparency.
Player Registration
Players from England and around the world will register for the auction and declare their availability. Many will set a reserve price, which is the minimum amount they are willing to accept.
Players are then grouped into categories based on factors such as international experience and playing role.
The Bidding Process
During the auction:
- The auctioneer introduces a player and announces the starting price.
- Teams bid against one another to sign that player.
- The price rises until only one team remains.
- The highest bidder wins the player’s contract.
The process continues until each team has filled its squad.
Budget Strategy
Franchises must constantly monitor their remaining budget during the auction.
If a team spends heavily on a few star players early, it may need to rely on lower-priced domestic players to complete the rest of its squad.
This balance between high-profile signings and value picks is often what determines the success of an auction strategy.
Multi-Year Contracts
Another major change is the introduction of multi-year deals.
Teams will be able to sign players on contracts lasting up to three seasons, rather than rebuilding entirely each year.
This provides:
- Greater stability for players
- Long-term planning for franchises
- Stronger team identities for fans
It also means some players may not return to the auction every season, depending on the length of their contracts.
The Wildcard System
Even after the auction concludes, squads may not be completely final.
The tournament will continue to use a Wildcard Draft, which allows teams to sign players later in the summer based on their performances in domestic competitions.
This system ensures that outstanding performers in English domestic cricket still have a chance to earn a place in The Hundred.
The Financial Impact on Players
One of the biggest outcomes of the new auction system is higher player earnings.
The increase in team salary caps means top players could command significantly larger contracts than in previous seasons. The rise is especially notable in the women’s competition, where salaries are expected to grow substantially.
For many players, The Hundred is becoming an increasingly attractive tournament on the global franchise calendar.
What the Auction Means for the Future of The Hundred
The introduction of a player auction represents a new chapter for The Hundred.
With larger budgets, private investment and a more competitive player market, the tournament is positioning itself as a major force in the global cricket landscape.
For teams, the auction will become one of the most important moments of the season—where strategy, finances and scouting all combine to shape the squad.
For fans, it will add another layer of excitement before the first ball of the tournament is even bowled.
And for players around the world, the auction could become a key gateway to one of cricket’s most innovative competitions.
