The Hundred: A Bold New Era in English Cricket

The Hundred, a revolutionary 100-ball cricket competition, was launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2021 as a fresh format aimed at attracting new audiences to the sport. The idea originated in the mid-2010s, with the ECB seeking to modernise cricket and compete with other short-form leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL). Initial proposals emerged around 2016–2018, evolving from a potential T20 tournament into a unique 100-ball structure featuring eight city-based teams for both men and women. The competition was designed to be fast-paced, family-friendly, and accessible, with matches lasting about two and a half hours to fit modern lifestyles.

At its core, The Hundred simplifies cricket while retaining its excitement. Each innings consists of 100 balls, with the team scoring the most runs declared the winner. Key rules include: the fielding side changing ends after every 10 balls; bowlers delivering sets of either five or 10 consecutive balls (with a maximum of 20 balls per bowler); a 25-ball powerplay at the start where only two fielders are allowed outside the inner circle; and a strategic timeout of up to 90 seconds for each bowling side. Ties are resolved via a “Super Five” – an additional five-ball over. The format also incorporates innovations such as simplified terminology (e.g. “balls” instead of “overs”) and vibrant team branding to appeal to younger fans. The eight franchises – Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Birmingham Phoenix, Trent Rockets, Welsh Fire, London Spirit, Oval Invincibles, and Southern Brave – represent major cities, with parallel men’s and women’s tournaments running concurrently.

Interest in The Hundred and Its Initial Success
From its debut, The Hundred generated significant buzz, drawing in crowds and viewers who might not have engaged with traditional cricket. In its inaugural 2021 season, the competition attracted 16.1 million TV viewers, with 57% being new to live cricket broadcasts. Attendance was equally impressive, with over 500,000 fans in the first year alone, and the tournament has since surpassed two million total attendees. This success was attributed to its family-oriented approach: 41% of tickets sold to families, and a notable increase in female viewership (30% of the audience in 2022). High-profile matches, such as those at Lord’s and The Oval, contributed nearly half of the 2024 attendance, underscoring the appeal of urban venues.

Viewership peaked early but has since fluctuated: 14.1 million tuned in during 2022, dropping to 12.1 million in 2023, with a further decline noted in 2024. Even so, highlights included record-breaking crowds for women’s games and a 36% increase in BBC peak audience for the 2024 men’s final (1.3 million viewers). The Hundred’s initial triumph lay in broadening cricket’s reach, introducing the sport to diverse demographics and boosting women’s cricket visibility, even as it faced criticism for affecting attendance in other domestic formats such as the T20 Blast.

The Sale and Purchase of Equity Interests in the Eight Franchises
In a landmark move to inject capital and global expertise into English cricket, the ECB initiated the sale of equity stakes in The Hundred’s eight franchises starting in late 2024, with deals finalising in 2025. The process valued the teams collectively at around £975 million to £1 billion, generating over £500–520 million in investments to be distributed across the ECB, host counties, and grassroots cricket. The ECB retained 51% in some teams while selling up to 100% in others, with stakes ranging from 49% to full ownership.

By mid-2025, six franchises had completed sales, with two more on track. Notable transactions included Northern Superchargers, sold for over £100 million (100% stake) to The Sun Group, owners of IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad, bringing proven franchise management credentials. London Spirit saw a 49% stake acquired for approximately £145 million by a consortium led by Satyan Gajwani (Vice Chairman of Times Internet) and Nikesh Arora (CEO of Palo Alto Networks), blending tech innovation and media expertise. Other investors spanned IPL owners, U.S. sports moguls, global tech entrepreneurs, and private equity firms, attracted by the competition’s growth potential. Deals for teams such as Oval Invincibles faced delays but were part of the broader auction that emphasised strategic partnerships over pure financial bids. This influx aims to professionalise operations, with new owners assuming control from 1st October 2025.

Ambitions and Plans for the Future
Looking ahead, The Hundred’s stakeholders envision it as a global powerhouse, leveraging fresh investments to drive expansion and innovation. The ECB plans to use the £520 million windfall to enhance women’s cricket, upgrade facilities, and support grassroots programmes, ensuring long-term sustainability. While the 2025 season will proceed unchanged (running 5th–31st August), significant shifts are slated for 2026 onward, including potential team rebranding and operational overhauls under new ownership.

Expansion is a key ambition, with ECB officials describing it as a “no-brainer” to grow beyond eight teams, potentially to 10 by 2029, once current contracts expire in 2028. Earlier proposals for a 2025 increase have been deferred to allow integration of private investors. There is also openness to evolving the format, possibly transitioning to a standard T20 structure to align with international norms and attract more global talent. Ultimately, the goal is to elevate The Hundred’s profile worldwide, fostering a lucrative league that inspires youth participation and regenerates historic grounds for community benefit.

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