The Hundred is aiming to capitalize on the "phenomenal growth" of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after attracting Indian investment. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has finalized deals with strategic partners for The Hundred teams, marking a transformative moment for the tournament and the future of cricket in England and Wales.

Investment and Ownership

The ECB has confirmed deals with the first six strategic partners for The Hundred teams. The remaining two deals are expected to be completed later. This move makes The Hundred the first UK sports competition to secure franchise partnerships of this scale, drawing on expertise from global sport, media, technology, and finance. A total of £520 million is being invested in the sport. Each of the 18 first-class counties will receive a £400,000 down payment, with more to come. Host counties can expect a minimum of £18 million, with Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Glamorgan already exceeding this figure by selling portions of their own stake. Non-host counties are set to receive around £25 million.

Several IPL team owners have invested in The Hundred. The ECB expects at least three teams to be rebranded to align with their IPL counterparts. Manchester Originals are set to align with Lucknow Super Giants, Northern Superchargers with Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Oval Invincibles are likely to become affiliated with Mumbai Indians.

Future Plans and Potential Changes

With the new investment, significant changes are expected for the competition. The fifth edition of The Hundred, starting next week, will be the last before a radical overhaul. A newly-formed Hundred board will send recommendations to the ECB board for approval. Increased salary caps and a move from a draft system to an auction are also being considered.

One potential change is a switch to the T20 format. While the 100-ball format has appealed to domestic broadcasters, it has not gained traction in other territories. There is growing interest in exploring a return to the standard T20 structure. According to Vikram Banerjee, managing director of the Hundred, the core DNA of the tournament will continue.

Indian Player Participation

ECB Chair Richard Thompson has expressed optimism about Indian players participating in The Hundred. Currently, Indian players are not allowed to participate in foreign franchise tournaments. Thompson believes that it is only a matter of time before this changes. He stated that the new partners' global perspective and track record in elite sport and business will help reimagine what's possible, from deepening fan connections to attracting even more world-class players.

Comparison to IPL

The IPL's success is largely attributed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s control, preventing active Indian players from participating in overseas leagues. The IPL also has a dedicated window with no international matches or ICC tournaments scheduled. Despite these advantages, The Hundred aims to become the second-best league behind the IPL. Vikram Banerjee noted that the IPL's salary purse is significantly higher than The Hundred's, but The Hundred has the advantage of being played in August when there isn't much other cricketing content. He also highlighted the favorable time zone for broadcasting to a global audience.

Impact and Successes

The Hundred has had a significant impact on women's cricket. The total attendance for the women's Hundred in each of the three seasons has been the highest in women's cricket competitions. In terms of total viewing hours, it was the most-watched women's competition on Sky Sports in 2023. The tournament is considered one of the top 3 women's T20 competitions in the world, attracting high-caliber overseas players.

The Hundred has also attracted families and new audiences to cricket. In 2022, families accounted for 41% of ticket sales, up from 36% in 2021. The affordability of tickets has been a major factor in attracting families.

The 2025 season of The Hundred will take place from August 5 to August 31.