ECB plans standalone women’s Hundred matches by 2026 in push to grow game
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is preparing to separate men’s and women’s fixtures in The Hundred, targeting a potential rollout of standalone women’s matches by the 2026 season. The move is aimed at boosting the commercial appeal and visibility of the women’s game.
Why the ECB is rethinking the double-header model
Since its inception in 2021, The Hundred has used a double-header format, featuring back-to-back men’s and women’s games at the same venue. But ECB CEO Richard Gould believes standalone women’s fixtures are the logical next step.
“The double-headers have been working well. At some point, we would like to try and find a way that we can have standalone fixtures, perhaps, for men and women.” – Richard Gould
The long-term goal? Selling out major venues such as Lord’s and Edgbaston with women’s matches alone.
“Getting to a capacity crowd for a women’s Hundred fixture at some point in the next couple of years has to be a target for us.” – Gould
Scheduling and broadcast challenges
Shifting away from double-headers isn’t without obstacles. The Hundred’s fixed 27-day competition window presents scheduling and logistical challenges. Gould emphasized that any changes must align with broadcaster interests and venue availability.
“If you can have eight sell-outs, rather than four…”
Rising attendance drives women’s cricket momentum
The standalone push comes as women’s cricket continues its upward trajectory in the UK. Over the last two summers, England Women have drawn crowds of more than 100,000, a trend expected to accelerate with the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled at major stadiums including Lord’s, The Oval, and Old Trafford.
This mirrors the rise of women’s sports across the country. Arsenal Women averaged nearly 30,000 fans in the Women’s Super League and will move all home games to the Emirates Stadium. Meanwhile, the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup is expected to break attendance records.
Calendar clarity and player availability
To support the evolution of The Hundred, the ECB is working to minimize clashes with the international calendar. Gould noted that the next Future Tours Programme (FTP) will aim to provide “the cleanest windows we possibly can” to ensure player availability, particularly for Test stars.
However, challenges may arise with the 2028 T20 tournament at the Los Angeles Olympics, which could compress the domestic window.
Private investment and stakeholder alignment
The ECB continues to court private investment in The Hundred franchises. Delays in finalizing participation and shareholder agreements have stemmed from the need to align stakeholders on long-term goals.
“It is about the ‘what ifs’… I hate to think how many sets of lawyers are in on this.” – Gould
Despite delays, Gould is optimistic: “The investors are investing heavily… We’re doing it up front now so that when everything is signed, we will be off and running in a much better state.”
Broadcast rights and future format considerations
The ECB is already looking ahead to the next media rights cycle. The current deal bundles The Hundred with England’s international matches, but there’s room to “unbundle” in future deals.
Investor sentiment remains stable, despite uncertainties. However, one looming debate may concern the format itself. Welsh Fire co-owner Sanjay Govil has signaled a preference for switching to T20, though that decision rests with the ECB board and is not currently under discussion.
The road to 2026
The 2025 season, which starts August 5, will retain the double-header format. But standalone women’s fixtures could be tested in 2026, marking a pivotal shift that could redefine women’s cricket in the UK and The Hundred’s commercial impact.
