With the January 16 deadline looming large on the horizon, the franchises in The Hundred 2026 are scrambling to finalize the list of player retention and signings ahead of the very first player auctions that will take place in the month of March. Teams in the men’s as well as the women’s formats are setting their rosters in motion.
The Hundred 2026 is set to take place between July 21 and August 16, promising to offer yet again an exciting summer season of cricket in England.
The Hundred 2026: Retention and Signing Rules Explained
“Pre-signing” is the process whereby each of the eight men’s and women’s squads is permitted to pre-sign a maximum of four players. This is operational under the following rules:
- A member of the group of players in the year 2025 must be kept
- No more than two foreign players are allowed to be pre-signed
- Not more than two centrally contracted players (from 2024-25 or 2025-26).
These rules guarantee a level of competition in the March auction.
Birmingham Phoenix Confirm Key Names
Men
Jacob Bethell (retained)
Rehan Ahmed (signed from Trent Rockets)
Women
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Ellyse Perry (retained, overseas)
Alice Capsey (pre-signed from Oval Invincibles)
Head Coaches:
Men: Shane Bond
Women: Ali Maiden
London Spirit Secure Proven Match-Winners
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Men
Liam Livingstone (pre-signed from Birmingham Phoenix)
Jamie Overton (retained)
Women
Yet to be confirmed
Head Coaches:
Men: Andy Flower
Women: Jon Lewis
Manchester Super Giants: Waiting for Crucial Decisions
The men’s and women’s squads are yet to make any retentions or pre-signings as the deadline approaches.
MI London remains tight
MI London have not yet announced the players confirmed for the men’s or women’s team participating in The Hundred 2026.
Southern Brave Retain Their Star Performers
Men
Jofra Archer (retained)
Women
Lauren Bell (retained)
Head coach appointments are yet to be announced.
Sunrisers Leeds Make Major Early Moves
Men
Harry Brook (retained)
Brydon Carse (retained)
Mitch Marsh (pre-signed, overseas)
Nathan Ellis (pre-signed, overseas)
Women
Kate Cross (retained)
Annabel Sutherland (retained)
Phoebe Litchfield (retained)
Head Coaches:
Men: Daniel Vettori
Women: Adi Birrell
Trent Rockets Lock in Key International Stars
Men
Tim David (pre-signed, overseas)
Women
Nat Sciver-Brunt (retained)
Head Coaches:
Men: Peter Moores
Women: Chris Read
Welsh Fire Secure Explosive Opener
Men
Phil Salt (pre-signed from Manchester Originals)
Women
No confirmations yet
Head Coaches:
Men: Mike Hussey
Women: Michael Klinger
What’s Next in The Hundred 2026?
With retentions almost locked in, the focus will soon shift to the first Hundred player auctions in March, when teams will finalize their squads. Starting with the early picks, there is an indication of aggressive team decisions and marquee signings.
Key Takeaways
January 16 is the final deadline for retentions and direct signings
Auctions scheduled for March 2026
Tournament runs from July 21 to August 16
Big-name players already secured across franchises
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