The Hundred is entering a new chapter in 2026 as the tournament introduces its first-ever player auction for the men’s competition. The auction started at 3:15 PM IST, marking a major shift from the previous draft-based system used in earlier seasons.
Franchises now have a significantly larger budget to assemble their squads. Each team has a £2.05 million purse to build a roster of 14 to 16 players, giving teams more flexibility and competition during the bidding process.
A total of 247 players have registered for the auction, including several international stars, experienced domestic players, and rising young talents.
Daryl Mitchell and Haris Rauf Go Unsold
Despite being well-known names in international cricket, Daryl Mitchell and Haris Rauf remained unsold during the auction phase.
Their absence from the final selections surprised many observers, as both players have performed consistently in international and franchise cricket.
However, auctions can often produce unexpected outcomes as teams focus on specific roles, squad balance, and available budgets.
Where to Watch The Hundred 2026 Auction Live
Cricket fans around the world can follow the auction live through online streaming platforms.
The auction is being streamed globally on The Hundred’s official YouTube channel, allowing viewers from different countries to watch the bidding process live.
In the United Kingdom, the broadcast is also available on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event.
This wide coverage ensures that fans can stay updated as teams build their squads for the upcoming season.
Marquee Players in The Hundred 2026 Auction
The The Hundered 2026 auction features several high-profile names across different categories. Many of these players have performed strongly in international tournaments and major franchise leagues.
Marquee Domestic Players
Some of the top English stars available in the auction include:
- Jonny Bairstow
- Adil Rashid
- James Vince
- Jordan Cox
- Joe Root
These players bring international experience and leadership to the competition.
Also see: Complete List of Indian Players in The Hundred 2026: Teams, Prices, Roles and Auction Details
Marquee International Players
Several international stars also entered the auction pool, including:
- Aiden Markram
- David Miller
- Sunil Narine
- Haris Rauf
- Daryl Mitchell
These players were among the most talked-about names before the auction began.
Key Players in Different Auction Categories
Players were divided into multiple categories based on their roles.
Tier 1 Batters
- Finn Allen
- Quinton de Kock
- Ryan Rickelton
- Tim Seifert
- Zak Crawley
Tier 1 Fast Bowlers
- Shaheen Afridi
- Joshua Tongue
- Luke Wood
- Sonny Baker
- Saqib Mahmood
Tier 1 All-Rounders
- Tom Curran
- Shadab Khan
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- David Willey
- Gus Atkinson
Tier 1 Spin Bowlers
- Akeal Hosein
- Allah Ghazanfar
- Rishad Hossain
- Usman Tariq
- Jafer Chohan
These categories helped teams identify players based on specific roles and squad requirements.
Tier 2 Player Categories
In addition to the top-tier players, the auction also included several experienced names in the Tier 2 groups.
Tier 2 Batters
- Tom Kohler-Cadmore
- Joe Clarke
- Leus du Plooy
- Tom Abell
- Will Smeed
Tier 2 Fast Bowlers
- Trent Boult
- Chris Jordan
- David Payne
- Olly Stone
- Matthew Potts
Tier 2 All-Rounders
- Saim Ayub
- James Coles
- Daniel Lawrence
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Lewis Gregory
Tier 2 Spin Bowlers
- Abrar Ahmed
- Keshav Maharaj
- Nathan Sowter
- Mason Crane
- Tom Hartley
These players provide depth options for franchises looking to strengthen their squads.
A New Era for The Hundred
The introduction of a traditional player auction represents a significant change for The Hundred competition.
With larger budgets and a more competitive selection process, teams now have greater freedom to build balanced squads. The auction format also adds excitement for fans as bidding wars and surprise picks become part of the tournament build-up.
As the auction continues, franchises will finalize their lineups ahead of the 2026 season, which promises to feature some of the biggest names in world cricket.
