Overview
- The ECB has set team salary pots at £2.05m for men, up 45%, and £880,000 for women, doubling the previous limit for the 2026 season.
- Minimum pay for the lowest‑paid women rises to £15,000 as fixed salary bands are scrapped so individual deals are determined by bidding.
- Squads will expand to 16–18 players with up to four overseas spots, multi‑year contracts will be allowed, and both a salary cap and a collar will apply.
- Teams may make up to four pre‑auction signings from mid‑November to end‑January, triggering tiered deductions from the purse: men £350k/£650k/£850k/£950k and women £130k/£240k/£310k/£360k.
- The Vitality Wildcard Draft stays in June, the right‑to‑match option is off for this cycle, and the redesign follows franchise sales that gave new owners a greater role in shaping rules.