Nov 05, 2025

Which Teams Play in The Hundred Competition?

When the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) launched The Hundred format in 2021, one of its boldest departures from tradition was the introduction of franchise-based teams. Unlike county cricket, which has roots stretching back more than a century, The Hundred deliberately created eight new city- and region-based franchises to give the competition a modern, accessible identity.

For new fans, knowing which teams play in The Hundred is essential for engagement. Team identity — names, logos, home grounds, and rivalries — provides an immediate way to connect with the competition. Each franchise represents a different geographic area, and both men’s and women’s squads compete under the same name and colours, often on the same day at the same venue.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to the teams in The Hundred, covering their home bases, county affiliations, histories so far, and the unique identities that shape their rivalries.

The Eight Franchises: Teams & Home Bases

The Hundred launched with eight franchises, each tied to a major stadium in England or Wales. These teams have competed in every edition of the tournament since 2021.

Birmingham Phoenix — Based at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The team represents the Midlands and is strongly linked to Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
London Spirit — Play at the iconic Lord’s, London. With the spiritual home of cricket as their base, they represent both tradition and modern innovation.
Manchester Originals — Based at Old Trafford, Manchester, the Originals carry the sporting heritage of Lancashire cricket into the new era.
Northern Superchargers — Represent the north of England, playing at Headingley, Leeds. Their reach includes Yorkshire and Durham fans.
Oval Invincibles — Home ground is The Oval, London, another historic cricket venue and rival to London Spirit.
Southern Brave — Based at the Ageas Bowl (Rose Bowl), Southampton. They draw support from the south coast, including Hampshire and Sussex.
Trent Rockets — Grounded at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, they embody the Midlands’ east and retain a loyal Nottinghamshire following.
Welsh Fire — Representing Wales, the team plays at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, making them the only franchise outside England.

The deliberate spread ensures representation across England and Wales, while also creating city-based rivalries, particularly between the two London sides.

Men’s & Women’s Teams: Same Franchises

One of the ECB’s most significant innovations was the decision to have both men’s and women’s teams under each franchise name. This means that Birmingham Phoenix, for example, fields a men’s squad and a women’s squad, both wearing the same kit and using the same home ground.

This structure delivers several benefits:

Shared matchdays: Double-headers see both men’s and women’s teams play on the same day, with one ticket granting entry to both games.
Common identity: Fans support one franchise across both competitions, ensuring the women’s game receives equal visibility.
Equal opportunity: The ECB made gender equity a pillar of The Hundred, offering parity in exposure and branding from day one.

While squads differ in personnel, the shared identity helps normalise women’s cricket as part of the professional mainstream.

County and Regional Affiliations

Although The Hundred franchises are new creations, each has affiliations with traditional county clubs to help anchor them in existing fan bases.

Birmingham Phoenix — Linked with Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
London Spirit — Connected to Middlesex, Essex, and Northamptonshire.
Manchester Originals — Represent Lancashire and parts of Cheshire.
Northern Superchargers — Associated with Yorkshire and Durham.
Oval Invincibles — Closely tied to Surrey and Kent.
Southern Brave — Draw from Hampshire and Sussex, with influence along the south coast.
Trent Rockets — Linked with Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire.
Welsh Fire — Based in Wales, with Glamorgan as their anchor county.

These links are crucial for grounding the franchises. Fans who might not have adopted a “new” team name could still see their counties’ stars in the line-ups, helping to ease the transition into franchise loyalty.

Stability & Recent Iterations

Since its inception, The Hundred has retained the same eight teams. No new franchises have been added, and none have relocated. This stability has allowed the competition to build brand recognition.

Ownership remains centralised under the ECB, unlike the franchise-owner model of the IPL. That means rebrandings or sales are less likely. There have been discussions about evolving the competition, including aligning it more closely with T20 cricket in future, but for now the core structure of eight franchises is unchanged.

Unique Franchise Identities

Each team in The Hundred has worked hard to create a distinct identity through branding, colours, and star players.

Birmingham Phoenix — Known for fiery orange kits and big-hitting batters.
London Spirit — Classic blue kits, playing at the “Home of Cricket” with an emphasis on heritage.
Manchester Originals — Black and white branding, with Old Trafford’s sporting tradition as a backdrop.
Northern Superchargers — Bright purple kits, often leaning into Yorkshire’s cricket pride.
Oval Invincibles — Green kits, blending modern branding with The Oval’s historic reputation.
Southern Brave — Bold dark green, branding themselves as fearless challengers.
Trent Rockets — Bright yellow kits, symbolising explosive batting firepower.
Welsh Fire — Red branding, reflecting both Wales and their fiery ambition.

On-field, identities are reinforced by star players. For example, Oval Invincibles’ women’s side dominated early seasons with names like Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp. Southern Brave men’s and women’s teams have been consistent finalists, with James Vince and Anya Shrubsole leading. Welsh Fire, while struggling for results, embody national pride as Wales’s sole representative.

FAQs

Will there be more than eight teams someday?

The ECB has not announced expansion, but it remains possible. The Hundred was designed with a compact eight-team structure for simplicity, though if demand grows, new franchises could be added.

Do teams relocate?

No. Unlike US-style franchise leagues, The Hundred’s teams are tied to specific stadiums and regions. There have been no relocations.

Are they based on county clubs?

Not directly. The Hundred teams are new creations, but each is affiliated with traditional counties to give them heritage links.

Can non-England teams join?

Currently, no. The competition is restricted to England and Wales. The only non-English team is Welsh Fire, based in Cardiff.

Final Note on Teams in The Hundred Competition

So, which teams play in The Hundred? The answer is eight city- and region-based franchises: Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets, and Welsh Fire. Together, they represent England and Wales across both men’s and women’s competitions.

The ECB designed these franchises to be accessible, modern, and instantly identifiable, helping both new and old fans invest in the competition. The shared matchdays and branding across genders have also raised the bar for professional cricket’s inclusivity.

For fans, the best way to engage is simple: pick the franchise closest to you — geographically or emotionally — and follow their journey. Whether it’s the fireworks of Trent Rockets, the heritage of London Spirit, or the pride of Welsh Fire, the eight teams provide a colourful new layer in the tapestry of English and Welsh cricket.