2026 season Hundred A historic turning point is in the making for women’s cricket. With a landscape-changing injection of capital and the introduction of a high-stakes auction system, the competition is no longer just a domestic summer attraction – it has become a global force. From the blockbuster move of Smriti Mandhana To continue to remain number one in the world Sophie EcclestoneThe pre-auction signing window has already defined three big contenders for the upcoming season.
The Hundred Women 2026: Big pay hike and strategic tie-up with IPL powerhouse
The most important headline for The Hundred Women 2026 is the staggering financial recovery. After acquisition of 70% stake by RPSG Group (Owners of IPL Lucknow Super Giants) in the Manchester franchise and similar investments from other Indian giants Reliance Industries (mi london), the economic DNA of the league has changed.
Total salaries for women’s teams have doubled, increasing by 100% to £880,000 per team. This surge means that top-tier players can now command salaries in the region of £130,000, a figure which ultimately puts The Hundred in direct competition. Women’s Premier League (WPL) For the title of the world’s most lucrative franchise tournament.
Additionally, the competition has moved away from fixed salary bands to an IPL-style auction format. Teams now operate under a salary cap and collar system, ensuring minimum spending to maintain competitive balance. Ahead of the March 2026 auction, teams were allowed up to four direct signings (retention or new acquisitions), leading to a flurry of activity which led to the rebranding of Manchester Originals. manchester super giants.
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Hundred Women squad: 2026 pre-auction signings and retention
The pre-auction window, which closed in late January, has seen the franchise lock in its core identity. it’s an extraordinary story manchester super giantsWho have assembled a Galacticos style roster. By retaining the world’s leading T20 bowler Ecclestone and pairing him with Indian icon Mandhana and the Australian legend. meg lanningThey have formed arguably the most formidable trio in the history of the shorter format.
Below is the full list of high-profile direct signings and retentions confirmed ahead of the 2026 auction:
| Team | Key Retention and Direct Signature |
| 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), Danny Wyatt-Hodge (pre-signed from Southern Brave), Mellie Kerr (pre-signed from Manchester Originals) |
| southern brave | Lauren Bell (retained), Maia Boucher (retained) |
| sunrisers leads | Kate Cross (retained), Annabel Sutherland (retained), Phoebe Lichfield (retained) |
| birmingham phoenix | Ellyse Perry (retained), Alice Capsey (pre-signed from Oval Invisibles), 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) |
london spirit Also made waves by securing South African power station marijane kappWhereas Trent Rockets has maintained its core while maintaining a world-class pairing of Nat Sciver-Brunt And Ashley Gardner.
These early moves have set a high bar as we head towards the inaugural player auction in March. With only a few spots left for the remaining international stars, the competition for the final roster slot will be more intense than ever.
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This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
