UK cricket will host its first major player auction this week as The Hundred franchises bid for talent ahead of the 2026 season. The women's auction begins Wednesday at 10am on Sky Sports Cricket, followed by the men's event Thursday. Piccadilly Lights in London will showcase the live auction action as 178 women and 247 men go under the hammer.

This marks a shift from the previous draft system after heavy private investment in the eight franchises, with IPL owners taking stakes in four teams. Hero players like Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Beth Mooney headline the auction, while squads have already spent portions of their salary pots - £880,000 for women's teams and £2.05m for men's. Teams retained or signed up to four players before the auction, with some sides having £310,000-£950,000 deducted from their budgets.

England Test captain Ben Stokes won't participate, focusing on international commitments including the Pakistan series. Teams can still sign two wildcard players after the auction based on Vitality Blast performances. The tournament runs July 21 to August 16, with every match live on Sky Sports. The new auction format promises to reshape The Hundred's competitive landscape as franchises build their 2026 squads.