Attendance Falls As The Hundred's Standard Rises

ECB officials say the recent handover of franchises and rebranding by new owners have weakened local engagement, with weekday scheduling cited as a further reason for lower ticket sales.

Overview

The England and Wales Cricket Board, speaking on Thursday, expects overall ticket sales for The Hundred 2026 to finish slightly below the 2025 total.
Early-stage cumulative attendance is down by a few thousand compared with the same point last year, with notable declines recorded at Headingley and The Rose Bowl where teams have been rebranded under new owners.
Players including Ben Duckett have praised the quality of play this season and expressed surprise at smaller crowds, pointing to stronger bowling attacks and the introduction of a fourth overseas player in each playing XI.
Critics and some local fans say the transfer of franchise control from county clubs to new, sometimes IPL-linked owners has weakened local identity and fan loyalty, which could depress future matchday sales if not addressed.
Past seasons drew higher aggregate crowds (around 580,000 in 2023 and 2025), so the current shortfall risks reducing revenue and local engagement while the competition continues to show on-field growth.