By Hannah Blackwell
After a record year in 2023, The Hundred will return to Cardiff in 2024 with Welsh Fire captain Tammy Beaumont determined to build on last year’s progress in the women’s tournament.
Cardiff will host its first game on Sunday 28 July, with both the Fire men’s and women’s teams kicking off their competition against Oval Invincibles.
The Fire will then be back at home for the first of three double-headers on Monday 5 August, taking on Southern Brave, before their final two matchdays, on Thursday 8 August against Northern Superchargers and Saturday 10 August versus Birmingham Phoenix.
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The competition itself will start on Tuesday 23 July, with Birmingham Phoenix heading to South London to play Oval Invincibles in the first of 34 matchdays across 26 days of compelling sport at the height of summer.
Welsh Fire captain and England Women’s batter Beaumont said: “We had a brilliant tournament last year, reaching The Eliminator, and we are fully motivated to try and win the competition this summer.
“We can’t wait to get back out in front of our Welsh Fire fans at Sophia Gardens in 2024. Last year was the start of something for this group and it will mean a lot to us and our fans if we can go one further.”
Welsh Fire men’s captain Tom Abell said: “I really enjoyed The Hundred in 2023 with Welsh Fire, I feel like it was a really positive season.
“It is always great to see so many families and kids at games and the support they gave us in Cardiff was fantastic. On the pitch, it was great for us to be more competitive and I’m looking forward to some more great matches at Sophia Gardens in 2024.’’
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A record 580,000 fans attended The Hundred across all venues in 2023, including over 300,000 watching the women’s competition.
The Hundred’s blend of high-quality sport and entertainment saw 41% of all tickets sold to families, 23% to juniors and 30% to women.
The Hundred Eliminator, where second- and third-placed teams compete for a place in The Hundred Final, is confirmed for Saturday 17 August at The Kia Oval. The Hundred Final will take place on Sunday 18 August at Lord’s.
The Hundred Draft, powered by Sage, will be back across both the men’s and the women’s competitions ahead of the 2024 summer as the 16 teams – including Andrew Flintoff’s Northern Superchargers men’s team – prepare their bids for The Hundred title.
For the first time, selection in the women’s competition will now take place exclusively through retention, The Hundred Draft and the Vitality Wildcard Draft. Salaries in the women’s competition have increased by £100,000 per team, with the top salary bracket now at £50,000.
All games will again be live on Sky Sports and BBC broadcast and digital channels throughout the competition.
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