The Hundred is officially back for its sixth year, and with the 2026 season already on the horizon, teams are starting to shape what their squads will look like. Ahead of the competition’s first ever player auction in March, the signing window is now open, giving teams the chance to lock in key names early.
For the first time, The Hundred will use an auction format to finalise squads, but before that happens, each of the eight teams is allowed to secure up to four players in advance. These can be either direct signings or retentions from their 2025 squads, including centrally contracted England Men’s and Women’s players. It gives teams a chance to build a strong core before heading into the auction room.
The Hundred has quickly become a summer staple, mixing fast paced cricket with big crowds, music and family friendly matchdays. With every season, the competition continues to grow, and the introduction of an auction adds a new layer of drama and strategy for 2026.
Welsh Fire have wasted no time in confirming their early signings, securing a strong mix of international and domestic talent. All four players have been brought in as direct signings.
Welsh Fire early signings for 2026
- Freya Kemp
- Rachin Ravindra
- Phil Salt
- Georgia Wareham
The retained group gives Welsh Fire firepower across both the men’s and women’s squads, combining experience, versatility and crowd pulling names as they begin preparations for the new season.
With the auction set to take place in March, attention will now turn to which players remain on the market and how teams complete their line ups. One thing is certain. As The Hundred heads into its sixth year, the build up to summer cricket is already well underway.
