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ECB Set To Split Double-Headers For Women's Hundred To Bag Better Sell-Outs

Soumyajit Dutta

Hundred Women to be decoupled for double-headers [Source: @thehundred/X.com]Hundred Women to be decoupled for double-headers [Source: @thehundred/X.com]

The ECB is considering splitting some men's and women's double-header matches in The Hundred into separate days from 2026. This move, without extending the tournament's 27-day window, aims to maximize ticket revenue and create opportunities for standalone women's fixtures to sell out major venues. 

ECB's Strategy To Drive Commercial Growth In Women's Hundred

Currently, every matchday features a women's game followed by the men's fixture at the same ground. As per ESPNcricinfo, Chief Executive Richard Gould confirmed the ambition.

"The double-headers have been working well... At some point, we would like to try and find a way that we can have standalone fixtures, perhaps, for men and women. Getting to a capacity crowd for a women's Hundred fixture at some point in the next couple of years has to be a target for us," Gould said.

He framed the potential decoupling of The Hundred as evidence of the women's game's commercial growth, supported by significant ECB investment.

"Within that window, if you get to the point where you can de-couple games, it's really demonstrating the commercial growth of the women's game... That's definitely a potential target," Gould said.

ECB Stresses On Women's Sports Demand

The logistical challenge of fitting more matchdays into the fixed window is acknowledged, requiring broadcaster agreement and scheduling adjustments. Gould noted the revenue incentive stating, "If you can have eight sell-outs, rather than four…"

This push aligns with booming demand for women's cricket. England women consistently draw large crowds, exceeding 100,000 spectators in recent summers, and the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup will utilise major international grounds. As understood by ESPNcricinfo, This trend mirrors the growth in sports like women's football, where Arsenal Women attract large crowds at the Emirates.