The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have allowed The Hundred franchises to have gambling sponsors for the 2026 season due to time constraints. According to reports, three out of the eight franchises haven’t secured a shirt sponsor, and the other two sides remain without a confirmed agreement. Panic mode is truly activated with the tournament starting on July 21.

2026 is a huge transitional year for The Hundred, thanks to privatisation after the ECB sold shares in the side. Four sides are now under the influence of Indian Premier League franchises, with three changing their names to align with their branding. Giving teams the benefit of the doubt, the authorities have allowed teams to have betting sponsors on the shirts for 2026, despite the tournament having a family-friendly image. 

“While on-kit betting partnerships are permitted in county cricket and many other cricket leagues around the world, The Hundred Board has agreed that they should be banned in The Hundred given the competition’s family-friendly focus. Ultimately this is a decision for teams to make, and given the transitional nature of 2026, some teams remained keen to have the option to pursue visible betting partners for this year’s competition only. Consensus was therefore reached amongst the teams to permit on-kit betting partnerships in 2026, subject to a number of strict parameters," a spokesperson said to The Telegraph. 

Despite giving teams the leeway of gambling sponsors, the ECB have put strict guidelines for teams to follow, which include merchandising and giving the players an option to opt out. 

"In addition, any partnerships must comply with the Code of Conduct on Sponsorship Agreements with Gambling Companies which includes kits available to purchase for fans without a sponsor logo, restricting any venue activations, and all players being given the option to wear playing kit that does not feature gambling branding. In addition, a minimum commercial value threshold is in place,” the spokesperson added. 

According to Money Control, the only sides that have secured a shirt sponsor include the London Spirit (Barclays Bank), Birmingham Phoenix (Sketchers) and MI London (Sokin). The latter, which were called the Oval Invincibles, are the three-time defending champions of the Men's tournament.