The latest edition of The Hundred Auction has delivered a historic moment for English cricket, with franchises spending millions to strengthen their squads ahead of the upcoming season. Over two exciting days of bidding, 169 players were signed by eight teams, with the total spending reaching £11.9 million.
This landmark event has been widely recognized as the first major sports auction held in the United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the tournament. Beyond the financial figures, the auction also highlighted the rapid growth of women’s cricket, with several female players securing contracts that place them among the highest-paid women athletes in the UK.
As teams finalized their line-ups for the next season of The Hundred, a combination of established stars and emerging young talents became the focus of intense bidding wars.
Major Highlights from The Hundred Auction
The auction witnessed several standout signings in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Franchises showed aggressive strategies to strengthen their squads for the sixth season of The Hundred, which promises to be one of the most competitive editions yet.
Among the biggest stories from the women’s auction was the signing of England and Somerset all-rounder Dani Gibson, who secured a major contract with SunRisers Leeds worth £190,000. Her signing not only boosted the defending champions but also reflected the growing financial value of women’s cricket in the competition.
Another notable move saw England seamer Issy Wong joining Southern Brave for £130,000, while promising 18-year-old Surrey spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman was also picked by the same franchise for £105,000.
The men’s auction also produced some headline-making deals. Sussex all-rounder James Coles emerged as one of the most expensive picks after being signed by London Spirit for £390,000. England batter Jordan Cox was snapped up by Welsh Fire for £300,000, while experienced leg-spinner Adil Rashid joined Southern Brave for £250,000.
Meanwhile, Pakistani all-rounder Abrar Ahmed secured a deal with SunRisers Leeds worth £190,000, adding international experience to their squad.
Key Signings from The Hundred Auction
| Player | Team | Contract Value |
|---|---|---|
| James Coles | London Spirit | £390,000 |
| Jordan Cox | Welsh Fire | £300,000 |
| Adil Rashid | Southern Brave | £250,000 |
| Abrar Ahmed | SunRisers Leeds | £190,000 |
| Dani Gibson | SunRisers Leeds | £190,000 |
| Issy Wong | Southern Brave | £130,000 |
| Tilly Corteen-Coleman | Southern Brave | £105,000 |
These deals underline the growing commercial strength of The Hundred, which continues to attract global cricket stars as well as rising domestic talents.
Additional Major Signings Across Franchises
In addition to the headline purchases, several other notable players secured contracts during the auction, further strengthening the competition’s depth.
New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine was signed by Welsh Fire for £210,000, while Australian star and the world’s top-ranked batter Beth Mooney joined Trent Rockets for the same amount.
The men’s competition also saw experienced campaigners switching teams. Sam Billings, who previously captained a title-winning side in the tournament, found a new home with Trent Rockets for £180,000.
Another major storyline involved England all-rounder Tom Curran, who joined MI London for £260,000, reuniting with his brother Sam Curran in the same franchise.
Elsewhere, Scott Currie secured a £210,000 deal with Birmingham Phoenix, while England batter Paige Scholfield was picked by Manchester Super Giants for £115,000, strengthening their batting line-up for the upcoming campaign.
Notable Additional Deals
| Player | Team | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sophie Devine | Welsh Fire | £210,000 |
| Beth Mooney | Trent Rockets | £210,000 |
| Tom Curran | MI London | £260,000 |
| Sam Billings | Trent Rockets | £180,000 |
| Scott Currie | Birmingham Phoenix | £210,000 |
| Paige Scholfield | Manchester Super Giants | £115,000 |
These acquisitions demonstrate how franchises are strategically building balanced squads to compete in the fast-paced 100-ball format.
First Players Sold in the Historic Auction
The opening moments of the auction were also memorable. Davina Perrin became the first player sold in the women’s auction, signing for Birmingham Phoenix for £50,000.
Shortly afterward, England superstar Joe Root made history by becoming the first player sold in the men’s auction, securing a deal with Welsh Fire worth £240,000.
These early picks set the tone for an action-packed auction that saw teams aggressively compete for top talent.
Dani Gibson Reacts to Her Major Deal
Following her high-profile move, Dani Gibson shared her excitement about joining SunRisers Leeds.
She said she was thrilled with the opportunity and admitted that watching the auction unfold was a nerve-wracking experience.
Gibson expressed her excitement about playing at Headingley, especially since the team she joined is the defending champion in The Hundred. She added that she is looking forward to the new season and the chance to contribute to the squad.
The England all-rounder also spoke about the remarkable progress of women’s cricket since the launch of The Hundred.
According to Gibson, the growth of the competition has dramatically improved opportunities for female cricketers. She noted that the salaries offered today are far higher than when the tournament first began in 2020, making professional cricket a more realistic career option for young girls.
James Coles Excited to Join London Spirit
One of the biggest signings of the men’s auction, James Coles, also expressed his excitement after being picked by London Spirit.
He described the chance to play at Lord’s as a dream opportunity, calling it one of the most iconic venues in world cricket. Coles said he is eager to work alongside head coach Andy Flower and the rest of the squad.
The Sussex all-rounder also praised The Hundred, describing it as a world-class competition that attracts top international and domestic talent.
He believes the quality of players involved in the auction clearly demonstrates the tournament’s growing global reputation.
The Hundred 2026 Season Set to Begin in July
The upcoming sixth season of The Hundred will officially begin on Tuesday, 21 July, when MI London host SunRisers Leeds in the opening match.
Fans are already preparing for another summer of fast-paced cricket, with the tournament continuing to attract packed stadiums and massive television audiences.
Tickets for the new season will soon be available, and supporters can secure early access by registering for the priority ticket window before 23 March. Early registrants will have the chance to purchase tickets at special early-bird prices.
With record signings, rising stars, and strong squads across all eight franchises, the upcoming edition of The Hundred is expected to deliver thrilling cricket and further strengthen the tournament’s position as one of the most innovative formats in the sport.
As the teams finalize preparations, fans around the world will be watching closely to see how the newly formed squads perform when the action begins this summer
