MI London and Sunrisers Leeds Begin Title Defenses at Oval 2026 Opener
On July 21, 2026, MI London Men and Sunrisers Leeds Women will open their title defenses at The Kia Oval. This event marks the beginning of the sixth season of the ECB’s 100-ball competition, known as The Hundred.
Match Schedule and Format
The opening match will feature MI London Women against Sunrisers Leeds Women at 2:45 PM. Following this, MI London Men will play against Sunrisers Men at 6:30 PM. MI London aims for their fourth consecutive title after achieving a hat-trick in 2025.
Competition Structure
Each team in the tournament will compete in eight group games. Teams will face six opponents once and meet their local rivals twice. The teams finishing first in the league phase will qualify directly for the finals. The second and third-placed teams will contest an eliminator to determine the finalists.
Upcoming Fixtures
- July 21: MI London vs Sunrisers Leeds (2:45 PM and 6:30 PM)
- July 22: Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire
- July 23: London Spirit vs Manchester Super Giants
- July 24: Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets
- August 16: Finals (women’s game at 2:15 PM, men’s game at 6 PM)
Player Auction and Notable Signings
The inaugural player auction for The Hundred will occur on March 11 and 12, 2026. This event introduces a new draft system influenced by the IPL model, allowing franchises to acquire players through a bidding process.
Top Players Available
Several high-profile players will be available, including Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Amy Jones. Teams can retain or sign up to four players before the auction, with significant financial implications in play.
Franchise Changes and Team Updates
MI London, Sunrisers Leeds, and Manchester Super Giants have undergone rebranding following new investments, with the latter two formerly known as Northern Superchargers and Manchester Originals. This investment allows teams to sign four overseas players, increasing competitive depth.
Current Team Rosters
| Team | Retained Players | New Signings |
|---|---|---|
| MI London | Sam Curran, Rashid Khan | Will Jacks, Nicholas Pooran |
| Sunrisers Leeds | Harry Brook, Brydon Carse | Mitchell Marsh |
| Manchester Super Giants | Jos Buttler | Noor Ahmad, Heinrich Klaasen |
Every match from the women’s and men’s competitions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, providing fans with comprehensive coverage. The innovation brought to the tournament with the new auction system and franchise changes promises an exciting season ahead.
