MI London and Sunrisers Leeds are set to commence their title defenses during the opening day of The Hundred 2026 tournament. The event will take place at The Kia Oval on July 21, 2026.
Opening Matches for MI London and Sunrisers Leeds
The tournament will kick off with MI London Women facing Sunrisers Leeds Women at 2:45 PM. Shortly after, MI London Men will take on Sunrisers Men at 6:30 PM. MI London Men, previously known as the Oval Invincibles, are aiming for their fourth consecutive title after securing a hat-trick in 2025.
Tournament Structure and Broadcast
- All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
- The tournament will include eliminators on August 14 and finals on August 16.
- Each day features a women’s match followed by a men’s match.
The top teams from the league phase will qualify directly for the finals. The teams finishing second and third will compete in an eliminator to determine finalists.
Match Schedule Highlights
The following are key fixtures in the 2026 schedule:
- July 21: MI London vs Sunrisers Leeds (2:45 PM, women; 6:30 PM, men)
- July 22: Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire
- July 23: London Spirit vs Manchester Super Giants
- August 16: Finals (women’s game 2:15 PM, men’s game 6:00 PM)
Player Auction and Team Changes
The first player auction of The Hundred will occur on March 11 and 12, 2026. This year, teams can sign up to four players before the auction. Recent investments from IPL owners have prompted several teams, including MI London and Sunrisers Leeds, to rebrand and modulate their line-ups.
Key Players to Watch
Several high-profile players remain available for signing, including:
- Joe Root
- Jonny Bairstow
- Adil Rashid
- James Anderson
Teams with fewer signings will have increased budget flexibility for the auction, as MI London Women, Manchester Super Giants Women, and Sunrisers Leeds Women each retained three players.
As excitement builds for The Hundred 2026, fans can look forward to thrilling matches and significant player acquisitions, setting the stage for an exciting season in cricket.
