The Hundred 2025: Check Schedule, Format, Match Time, New Changes and How Matches Work?

Cricket has evolved majorly over the last few decades and fans have been demanding high octane matches with shorter formats. That is why The Hundred has quickly become one of the most famous tournament in today's cricket. It was launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in the year 2021. The idea behind the game started in the year 2016. The Hundred introduced a new bold and innovative 100-ball format which was designed to simplify the game and engage new audiences, particularly families and younger fans. With its fast-paced rules, franchise-based city teams, double-headers featuring both men’s and women’s matches, and a shorter runtime of around two and a half hours, the format has steadily grown in popularity across the UK and abroad.

The tournament for the year 2025will be played in August and this year fans can expect even more excitement, and new changes that are aimed to increase the competition. Here’s everything you need to know about the schedule of this game including timings, major changes and how the matches are played.

What is the Format of the Hundred and How Matches Work?

The Hundred follows simple set of rules which makes it different from traditional cricket. Each team gets 100 balls to play. Similarly, the bowling side, delivers those balls using sets of either 5 or 10 consecutive balls by the same bowler. Another rule for this format is that a bowler can bowl a maximum of 20 balls per match, and teams switch ends every 10 balls.
The Hundred website mentions:

• "It's 100 balls per innings. Whoever scores the most runs wins.
• The fielding side change ends after 10 balls.
• Bowlers deliver either five or 10 consecutive balls. The captain decides.
• Each bowler can deliver a maximum of 20 balls per match."

The match begins with a 25-ball powerplay, during which only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams are also given the option of taking a 90-second strategic timeout, and any no-ball results in 2 extra runs and a free hit. Matches typically last around 2.5 hours, making them much more viewer-friendly and accessible to time-constrained fans.

What is the Schedule and Timings for the Hundred? 

The 2025 season of The Hundred will run from August 5 to August 31, packed into a 27-day window of non-stop action. A total of 64 group matches will be played. Here is the complete schedule. 

What are the New Changes in The Hundred 2025?

Several notable changes have been introduced in the 2025 season to enhance the tournament’s quality and global reach.

• Several notable changes have been introduced in the 2025 season to enhance the tournament’s quality and global reach.

• Franchise Investment: With around £520 million invested into franchise equity, there is a growing possibility of major post-2025 changes. These could include team rebranding, format expansion, or even international collaboration, which the ECB is currently exploring.

• Higher Salary Caps: The ECB has increased the salary brackets. This increases salaries to £200,000. The Hundred website mentions: "All salary bands across the Men’s and Women’s Competitions have increased from 2024 to 2025. From 2025, players in the top bracket in The Hundred Men’s Competition will earn £200,000. In The Hundred Women’s Competition, players in the top bracket will earn £65,000."

• Direct Overseas Signings: For the first time, franchises were allowed to sign one overseas player directly before the draft. This change attracted global superstars such as Laura Wolvaardt and Amelia Kerr to the women’s league.