The Hundred 2026 Women’s Fixtures: Complete Match Schedule and Key Dates

SunRisers Leeds arrive at The Kia Oval as defending champions on 21 July.

Their opening clash with MI London launches what promises to be the most competitive women’s tournament yet.

The Hundred 2026 Fixtures for the women’s competition reveal a schedule built for intensity.

With 32 league matches spread across England and Wales, the path to Finals Day runs through every major venue in the country.

The Hundred 2026 Women’s Fixtures

The season begins at 19:15 on Tuesday, 21 July. From that first delivery, teams have three weeks to secure their knockout spots before the Eliminators arrive on 14 August.

Opening Night in South London

The tournament starts with MI London hosting SunRisers Leeds at The Kia Oval. The 19:15 start time positions the women’s match ahead of the men’s fixture in the double-header format.

MI London enter under fresh branding but familiar pressure. The rebranded franchise needs results to validate the Mumbai Indians investment that reshaped their identity.

SunRisers Leeds carry different expectations. As 2025 champions, they arrive with momentum and the confidence that comes from recent success.

Their opening fixture offers an immediate test of whether that form carries into the new era.

The double-header structure means both matches share the same crowd. Early arrivals get the women’s game, creating atmosphere before the evening fixture begins.

Full Women’s Match Schedule and Venues

The Hundred 2026 Schedule for women covers 32 league matches across eight teams. Each franchise plays seven home fixtures and seven away.

Weekend matches are split between afternoon and evening slots. The 15:30 starts on Saturdays and Sundays create family-friendly options, while 19:00 evening fixtures capture different audiences.

How Match Times Work Across The Schedule?

The Hundred 2026 Fixtures Match times follow clear patterns. Weekday fixtures typically start at 19:30, giving fans time to arrive after work without rushing.

Weekend timing splits between afternoon and evening. Saturday and Sunday, 15:30 starts, let families attend without late finishes. Evening slots maintain broadcast coverage for viewers at home.

Cardiff hosts several 16:00 starts on Wednesdays. The earlier timing accommodates travel patterns and broadcast schedules across the competition.

This timing structure creates accessibility. Different start times mean different audiences can engage without every match demanding the same commitment level.

Teams Carrying New Identities

Three franchises enter 2026 with rebranded names. The changes reflect ownership deals that bring global investment into The Hundred’s framework.

MI London takes over from Oval Invincibles. Mumbai Indians’ franchise expertise now backs the South London team, though the Kia Oval remains their home.

SunRisers Leeds replaces Northern Superchargers. The Sunrisers brand carries IPL recognition while maintaining the Yorkshire base at Headingley.

Manchester Super Giants is the new name for Manchester Originals. The rebrand signals ambition backed by fresh ownership willing to compete for top talent.

Five teams keep their existing identities. Southern Brave, Welsh Fire, London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix, and Trent Rockets all continue without change.

The Auction That Changes Everything

The inaugural player auction happens on 11-12 March 2026 in London. This two-day event replaces the old draft system entirely.

Franchises now bid openly for players instead of selecting in predetermined rounds. It adds strategy months before the season begins. Teams must balance budget constraints while targeting specific skills and filling squad gaps.

Squad rules have evolved too. Teams can now carry four overseas players instead of three. That extra international slot means more global talent on display each match day.

The auction format rewards preparation. Teams that scout properly and identify undervalued talent can build stronger squads than those who simply chase big names.

Critical Knockout Dates and Reserve Days

The league stage concludes on 12 August. Then the Eliminators begin on Friday, 14 August at The Kia Oval.

The women’s Eliminator starts at 18:45, running ahead of the men’s knockout fixture in the double-header format. Top teams fight for Finals Day spots with everything riding on 100 balls.

Saturday, 15 August, serves as a reserve day for the Eliminator. Weather won’t force incomplete results or shared advancement.

Finals Day arrives on Sunday, 16 August at Lord’s. The women’s final begins at 18:45, with the trophy presentation following at the home of cricket.

Monday, 17 August, provides final backup coverage. The ECB built these reserve days into The Hundred 2026 Time Table after learning from past tournaments where the weather created unsatisfying conclusions.

Reserve days matter in knockout cricket. One rain-affected session can destroy months of preparation. The backup dates ensure proper champions emerge regardless of weather patterns.

Expert Insight: What The Schedule Strategy Reveals

The fixture list front-loads major clashes rather than saving them for later rounds. Opening night features the defending champions. Lord’s gets action on day three. Every major venue fires early.

This approach differs from previous editions. Earlier tournaments built slowly, protecting marquee matchups for the business end when interest naturally peaks.

The 2026 strategy reflects changed priorities. Broadcasters want strong viewership from opening week. Franchises need early ticket revenue before competing summer events drain attention and budgets.

It’s a gamble. If SunRisers Leeds lose form early, their title defence narrative collapses before momentum builds. But strong starts create compelling stories that carry through the entire schedule.

The geographic balance also matters. Northern venues, Midlands grounds, and Southern stadiums all get early fixtures. That spread helps build regional support rather than concentrating attention in London for the first week.

Venue Characteristics That Shape Matches

Each ground carries different playing conditions. The Kia Oval tends to offer pace early before spin becomes more effective as pitches wear. Lord’s slope creates unique angles for bowlers working across the gradient.

Edgbaston’s short boundaries favor power hitters who can clear the rope consistently. Headingley in Leeds offers bounce that suits certain bowling styles more than others.

Teams that understand their home conditions can build squads accordingly. MI London might target spinners who exploit wearing Oval surfaces in the second half of matches. Birmingham Phoenix could stack their order with boundary hitters.

Home advantage in 100-ball cricket isn’t as pronounced as in Test matches. But over the course of seven home fixtures, small edges accumulate. Familiarity with sightscreens, pitch behavior, and crowd dynamics all contribute to marginal gains.

Managing Your Match Calendar

With 32 league matches plus knockouts, tracking every fixture takes organization. Missing key games means missing potential turning points in the race for Finals Day.

The ECAL sync option solves this problem efficiently. One click loads the complete schedule into your phone calendar. Updates push automatically if weather or broadcast requirements shift timings.

Fans following specific teams can filter by franchise. This keeps calendars clean while ensuring you never miss your team’s fixtures among the broader schedule noise.

The system works across devices, too. Sync once on your phone, and the schedule appears on tablets, computers, and smartwatches automatically.

What Hasn’t Changed About The Format?

Despite ownership evolution and new team names, the on-field product remains identical. Each team gets 100 balls. No complicated rules. No strategic timeouts.

This simplicity has driven The Hundred’s growth. New fans can follow without learning complex regulations. Families can watch complete matches in under three hours.

The format suits broadcasting perfectly. Advertisers know exactly when action peaks. Players can express themselves without Test cricket’s patience demands or T20’s chaotic randomness.

Women’s cricket benefits particularly from this clarity. The format showcases skill without format confusion clouding appreciation of talent on display.

What This Summer Means for Women’s Cricket?

The Hundred 2026 arrives with higher stakes than previous editions. Investment brings pressure to deliver results and validate new ownership structures.

SunRisers Leeds carry the defending champions tag into their rebrand. Can they maintain excellence while integrating new ownership systems? MI London and Manchester Super Giants enter as unknowns under fresh identities.

The expanded overseas quota means talent quality rises across all squads. Four international players per team leaves less room for weak links. Every franchise can field genuine global stars alongside England’s best.

The schedule creates natural rivalry points. Teams face each other twice during the league stage, allowing for revenge matches and developing storylines. By Finals Day on 16 August, we’ll know which franchise claims supremacy in this new era.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What time does the first women’s match start?

The opening fixture begins at 19:15 on Tuesday, 21 July at The Kia Oval, with MI London hosting SunRisers Leeds.

• How many matches does each team play in the league stage?

Each of the eight teams plays 14 league matches (seven home, seven away) before the knockout stage begins on 14 August.

• Where can I get tickets for women’s matches?

Tickets are available through The Hundred’s official website. Double-header tickets cover both women’s and men’s matches at the same venue.

• What happens if rain affects the knockout matches?

Reserve days are scheduled for both the Eliminator (15 August) and Final (17 August) to ensure matches reach proper conclusions.

• Which teams changed names for 2026?

Three teams rebranded: Oval Invincibles became MI London, Northern Superchargers became SunRisers Leeds, and Manchester Originals became Manchester Super Giants.

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