Ex-England Test bowling partners James Anderson and Ollie Robinson to captain Lancashire and Sussex in 2026
The clocks have moved forward and daytime temperatures are rising above 10°C (50°F), signaling the arrival of the 2026 County Championship season.
All 18 teams will compete in Friday's opening matches. BBC local radio cricket commentators provide insights into each club's prospects for the campaign.
Derbyshire - 'Expectations have been raised'
2025 season: Third in Division Two
Dave Fletcher – BBC Radio Derby
After a strong 2025 season, Derbyshire achieved their best County Championship performance since 2014, climbing from the bottom of Division Two to third place, narrowly missing promotion by five points.
Head of cricket Mickey Arthur aims to build on this progress and has strengthened the squad during the off-season.
Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas has joined from Nottinghamshire on a two-year contract and is expected to be a key wicket-taker, having taken 32 wickets at an average of 21.46 in nine first division matches in 2025.
England spinner Shoaib Bashir has moved from Somerset seeking more playing opportunities to revive his career. At 22 years old, he is anticipated to receive ample chances.
Matt Montgomery, who impressed during a loan spell in the One-Day Cup with two centuries in six innings, has signed a three-year deal to strengthen the batting lineup. This lineup also includes Australian Caleb Jewell and captain Wayne Madsen, both of whom surpassed 1,000 Championship runs last year.
Luis Reece will look to build on his outstanding 2025 season, where he was Division Two's leading wicket-taker with 50 wickets at an average of 19, alongside scoring over 600 first-class runs.
Expectations have risen for Derbyshire, and it will be intriguing to observe their performance this season.
Durham - 'Can they become a winning team again?'
2025 season: Ninth in Division One (relegated)
Martin Emmerson - BBC Radio Newcastle
Durham returns to Division Two after relegation following a disappointing 2025 season. Their last relegation in 2000 saw only two Championship wins, a low point the club hopes to avoid repeating.
Despite a promising victory over eventual champions Nottinghamshire in May 2025, Durham failed to win any further matches, culminating in relegation after a poor final day in Leeds where they failed to bat out the day to survive.
Coach Ryan Campbell, who signed a two-year contract shortly before relegation, expressed shock and admitted to sleepless nights following the outcome.
Injuries and inconsistent batting performances hampered the team. David Bedingham, the country's leading batter in 2024, missed significant time due to injury and international duty but returns for his seventh season hoping to regain form.
Bowler Sam Conners was injured at the start of the campaign, and new signing Will Rhodes struggled with the bat.
West Indian bowler Kemar Roach, a three-time county title winner, has signed for the early part of the season. At 37, there are hopes he avoids the common challenges faced by overseas bowlers at Chester-le-Street.
Kasey Aldridge committed to a three-year deal after a successful T20 Blast loan spell, though he anticipated Division One cricket this season. Additionally, 20-year-old quick Archie Bailey joined from Gloucestershire, bringing promising reports despite limited first-class experience.
Alex Lees remains as captain despite relegation, a decision that surprised some observers. The team faces a challenging task to become competitive again, with skepticism about immediate promotion prospects.
While some fans expect a swift return to Division One, others reference Kent and Lancashire's experiences last season as cautionary examples.
Essex - 'New generation emerging'
2025 season: Sixth in Division One
Victoria Polley - BBC Radio Essex
Essex approaches the 2026 season aiming to compete near the top of Division One rather than battling relegation as in 2025.
Director of cricket Chris Silverwood has strengthened the bowling attack by signing South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who will be available during the early months while Jordan Cox participates in the IPL. Additional signings include Zaman Akhter from Gloucestershire and Durham seamer Mitchell Killeen.
Upon Cox's return, attention will focus on whether he can maintain his excellent form and attract England selectors' attention.
Several players from Essex's 2019 double-winning team remain central, but a new generation is emerging. Charlie Allison had a breakout Championship season last summer, and teenage quicks Mackenzie Jones and Charlie Bennett continue to develop.
This blend of experience and youth positions Essex to compete near the top of the table again.
Glamorgan - 'Must repeat impressive feat and more'
2025 season: Second in Division Two (promoted)
Nick Webb - BBC Radio Wales Sport
Glamorgan will compete in Division One for the first time since 2005 after exceeding expectations in 2025 by finishing second in Division Two and securing promotion with a match to spare.
They must replicate and improve on this performance to maintain their top-flight status.
Pre-season focus has been on young talents Asa Tribe and Ben Kellaway, both of whom earned England Lions honors in Australia. Tribe scored a century in the junior Test and participated in the curtailed series against Pakistan's second team.
Tribe could contend for senior England selection if he starts strongly in Division One. However, any absence of these players would challenge Glamorgan, which had limited recruitment during the winter.
Sean Dickson, formerly of Somerset, Durham, and Kent, is the sole domestic signing following the departure of previous Championship captain Sam Northeast to Canterbury. Dickson aims to strengthen the white-ball side but is not a direct replacement.
Kiran Carlson, now the four-day captain, will seek to lead by example with the bat, bringing a decade of county experience.
Coach Richard Dawson and Carlson face the task of establishing effective opening partnerships in batting and bowling. Concerns remain about seam-bowling resources, especially after James Harris's unexpected retirement.
Timm van der Gugten remains a consistent performer, while new seamer Ryan Hadley from New South Wales and Ned Leonard may receive more opportunities.
Gloucestershire - 'Blast made a serious priority'
2025 season: Sixth in Division Two
Ed Seabourne - BBC Radio Bristol
Gloucestershire experienced a significant seam bowling exodus in 2025, leaving a young and inexperienced attack for 2026. The club hopes the reduced squad remains injury-free.
New signing Will Williams and returning Craig Miles will be joined initially by Tasmanian Gabe Bell. Beyond them and veteran Matt Taylor, the remaining seamers have limited first-class experience.
In contrast, the batting unit remains largely intact, having produced the second most batting points behind Division Two champions Leicestershire. James Bracey scored 1,000 runs in consecutive seasons, and Ben Charlesworth continues his promising development.
Gloucestershire aims to improve on their two Championship wins in each of the past two seasons.
The club has five players contracted solely for T20 cricket, including overseas duo D'Arcy Short and Liam Scott, BBL breakout stars. Dawid Malan brings experience, and David Payne recently made his IPL debut. Marchant de Lange returns on a T20 contract, signaling a focus on the Blast competition.
Hampshire - 'Narrow escape in 2025 a wake-up call'
2025 season: Eighth in Division One
Hampshire narrowly avoided relegation in 2025 due to Durham's collapse on the final day. This close call has prompted rigorous pre-season preparations, including three overseas trips.
The team scored just 12 batting bonus points, among the lowest in the division. Australian domestic player of the year Jake Lehmann has signed as a homegrown player to bolster the batting.
Hampshire continues to rely on young homegrown talent, with hopes that some will break through this summer. Eighteen-year-old Ben Mayes, who scored 191 in the under-19 World Cup, is expected to receive opportunities.
The pace attack depends on veteran Kyle Abbott, who aims to take over 50 wickets for the fourth time in five years. Promising bowlers Sonny Baker, Eddie Jack, and John Turner have yet to demonstrate consistent performance at this level.
Seventeen-year-old Manny Lumsden impressed with England Under-19s during the winter and is one to watch.
Kent - 'There are reasons for optimism'
2025 season: Eighth in Division Two
Only Northamptonshire's Saif Zaib (1,425) scored more runs than Kent opening batter Ben Compton (1,386) in Division Two in 2025
Adam Hollioake - BBC Radio Kent
Kent endured a difficult 2025, finishing bottom of the County Championship for the first time in 30 years following relegation to Division Two the previous year.
After a coaching change with Adam Hollioake replacing Matt Walker, early victories gave way to familiar problems with wicket-taking and injuries to bowlers.
There is optimism with former captain Sam Northeast returning to strengthen the batting, and seamer Matt Milnes rejoining from Yorkshire. South African overseas player Keith Dudgeon will lead the bowling attack.
Opener Ben Compton, who averaged 60 last summer, will be crucial, alongside Zak Crawley, who must prove his form to retain his England Test place.
Improved Championship performance is essential, and Hollioake aims to apply his limited-overs captaincy experience to white-ball coaching.
Lancashire - 'One of the favourites for promotion'
2025 season: Fifth in Division Two
Scott Read - BBC Radio Lancashire
James Anderson will captain Lancashire in 2026, reflecting his commitment to continue playing and the club's hopes he will elevate standards.
Following relegation in 2024 and a poor 2025 season, Lancashire enters 2026 with renewed optimism and is considered among the promotion favorites.
Steven Croft, now permanent head coach, had the team performing well during his interim tenure last year.
The return of Marcus Harris is expected to strengthen the middle order, with Luke Wells and Keaton Jennings aiming to surpass 1,000 runs again. Josh Bohannon, Matty Hurst, and George Balderson also aim to improve their performances.
Bowler Ajeet Singh Dale, the club's top recruitment target, joins after taking 40 wickets in 11 games for Gloucestershire last season. His pace and durability could be crucial on Emirates Old Trafford pitches.
Lancashire fields a large squad with competition across all formats and aims to compete strongly throughout the season.
Leicestershire - 'Historic moment for Foxes'
2025 season: First in Division Two (promoted)
Adam Whitty - BBC Radio Leicester
Leicestershire will play in the top flight for the first time since 2003, hosting Sussex on the opening weekend. The club is ambitious and aims to avoid merely making up the numbers.
Head coach Alfonso Thomas expresses confidence in the squad, which includes England players Josh Hull and Rehan Ahmed, alongside experienced county players Lewis Hill, Ben Green, and Ian Holland.
Captain Pete Handscomb's late-season withdrawal is a setback, but his replacement, Australian Ashes opener Jake Weatherald, has eased concerns. Spinner Ajaz Patel is expected to provide stability.
The team exhibits quiet confidence, acknowledging the challenge but believing in their ability to cause surprises. A smaller, settled squad works cohesively, which may be vital for survival in Division One.
Middlesex - 'Fulton must rally squad'
2025 season: Fourth in Division Two
Middlesex's failure to challenge for promotion in 2025 led to the departure of head coach Richard Johnson and interim head coach Dane Vilas.
Operating under strict ECB financial constraints, Middlesex appointed Peter Fulton to rally the existing squad.
Toby Roland-Jones remains the bowling spearhead, supported by Ryan Higgins. However, finding consistent wicket-takers beyond them has been challenging since Tim Murtagh's retirement and Ethan Bamber's departure.
The squad includes promising professionals early in their careers, but whether they can support the senior bowlers will influence promotion prospects.
The batting struggled early in 2025 but has potential given the top-order talent. Fulton's expertise as a former New Zealand batting coach may help address this.
The main challenge remains developing seamers without significant overseas or experienced county support.
Northamptonshire - 'Clear signs of cultural change'
2025 season: Seventh in Division Two
Andrew Radd - BBC Radio Northampton
In Darren Lehmann's first season as head coach, Northamptonshire returned to the T20 finals day after nine years, despite modest Championship and 50-over results.
The club shows cultural improvements with a positive attitude driven by Lehmann and chairman Gary Hoffman.
Australian batter Nathan McSweeney, vice-captain in red-ball cricket, strengthens the top order. Leg-spinning all-rounder Calvin Harrison, an England Lions selection, joined from Nottinghamshire after a loan spell.
Louis Kimber, also a newcomer from Leicestershire, aims to contribute across formats.
Saif Zaib, who scored heavily in 2025 but was overlooked by England selectors, and Justin Broad, David Willey's deputy in the Blast, are key players.
Opener Ricardo Vasconcelos impressed during a pre-season trip to South Africa, and veteran seamer Ben Sanderson approaches 600 wickets for the club.
Nottinghamshire - 'Target on their back'
2025 season: Division One champions
Dave Bracegirdle - BBC Radio Nottingham
Nottinghamshire's 2025 County Championship title was a remarkable achievement, ending Surrey's dominance. Few anticipated their challenge after narrowly avoiding relegation in 2024.
The squad remains largely unchanged, except for the departure of Mohammad Abbas and increased involvement from Fergus O'Neill. Wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne is available all season.
Ben Duckett's decision to forgo the IPL should provide early-season runs, while England teammate Josh Tongue's availability could be even more impactful. Tongue took 31 wickets in six matches during the title-winning campaign.
Captain Haseeb Hameed is expected to score over 1,000 runs again, with wickets likely shared among Brett Hutton and Dillon Pennington.
Defending the title will be challenging, but Nottinghamshire's qualities suggest they can replicate their success.
Somerset - 'Desperately covet Championship'
2025 season: Third in Division One
Anthony Gibson - BBC Radio Somerset
Somerset celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2025 with one of their best seasons, winning the T20 Blast, finishing third in the County Championship, and reaching the One-Day Cup semi-final.
The team has the talent, experience, leadership, and spirit to contend for their first County Championship title.
The Rew brothers, James and Thomas, are on England's radar and will be closely watched, alongside four other Toms: Lammonby, Abell, Kohler-Cadmore, and Banton, though Banton will join after the IPL.
Two major concerns remain: establishing a reliable opening partnership after seven combinations were tried last season, and having sufficient seam-bowling depth to sustain a long campaign.
Youngsters Archie Vaughan and Josh Thomas will likely open, though it is a significant responsibility, especially on early-season pitches.
The seam attack relies on youth, including left-armers Alfie Ogborne and JT Langridge, and experienced players Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton, and Jake Ball. Their fitness will be crucial.
Jack Leach remains a key spinner, but with spin-friendly pitches discouraged and fixtures concentrated at the season's start and end, he cannot carry the burden alone.
Australians Riley Meredith and Daniel Sams strengthen the Blast squad, where Somerset are among the favorites. The youngsters are expected to perform well in the One-Day Cup.
Winning the Championship would be a surprise but remains possible.
Surrey - 'Reset and new hunger'
2025 season: Division One runners-up
Surrey enters 2026 with a reset and renewed hunger after losing the Championship title last season.
Sean Abbott re-signed, and the squad rem...
