Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham has become an investor in The Hundred’s Birmingham Phoenix ahead of the 2026 season, saying he “owes” the city of Birmingham. The Stourbridge-born star will focus on community engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility projects aimed at increasing cricket participation and using sport to bring people from different backgrounds together.
Bellingham will take a 1.2% equity stake in the Phoenix. Warwickshire County Cricket Club will retain majority control with 50.4%, while Birmingham City’s owners, Knighthead Capital Management — whose minority investors include Tom Brady — hold 48.4%.
Announcing his involvement, Bellingham said: “I feel like I owe the city something. And this feels like a good way.” In a Q&A with Warwickshire CCC he described his childhood playing cricket with his brother Jobe, calling it his “favourite thing to watch outside football,” and recalled how Birmingham shaped his values.
He reflected on Birmingham’s supportive environment: “I always felt like Birmingham was a place where everyone wanted to see everyone do well. It was a place where I was lucky enough to kind of grow up and people would push you to want to be better than you were — or to be the best.” He added that he tries to carry those values with him while playing in Germany, Spain and around the world.
Bellingham praised cricket’s etiquette and character, noting the “class” and elegance of many aspects of the game and suggesting football could learn from cricket’s humour and the way players relate to fans. He said remembering his roots is “massively important” and that representing Birmingham on the world stage is an honour he does not take lightly.
His investment is part of a wider reshaping of The Hundred ahead of 2026, with more than £520m of private money injected since last year. Several teams have rebranded to align with new owners from the Indian Premier League: Manchester Super Giants (formerly Originals), Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) and MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles).
Sky Sports will show every match of the 2026 men’s and women’s competitions live, with each matchday featuring a women’s game before the men’s fixture. The eliminators are scheduled for Friday August 14 and the finals for Sunday August 16.
Bellingham Q&A (highlights)
Why did you want to be part of Birmingham Phoenix?
“When I got the opportunity to get involved, I didn’t really think twice about it. I love Birmingham. I’m very grateful for what they’ve done for me. For me, Birmingham City are the best team I could have ever come through at and the best team I could have supported. I feel like I owe the city something. And this feels like a good way, in a different but still sporting avenue.”
Growing up, was cricket as competitive as football between you and your brother Jobe?
“We’re a competitive pair of lads. Pretty much everything we did ended in scraps and tears, whether it was Monopoly, or football and cricket. Cricket was no different, even though Jobe probably didn’t enjoy it as much as I did.”
What values do you think cricket instills in young players?
“I think there’s a class to it, definitely. Maybe that’s not always on display in football. The toss, the captains in their blazers, the way fans behave — there’s generally a line of respect between teams. Some of the players move so elegantly when they bowl and bat.”
Do you think football could learn from cricket?
“Probably. I think there’s more humour in it. I’ve heard a lot of the stump mic and seen documentaries about characters that have played. There’s a bit more light-heartedness which helps people relate to players and appreciate them as people.”
How important is it to remember your roots?
“Massively important. I carry it with me in everything I do. It’s not just the way you talk or the accent you have, it’s the values you take from Birmingham. It wasn’t like other areas where it’s cutthroat — everyone cares for one another really well. I want to show the world that where I come from is an amazing place with amazing values. It’s a huge honour to represent Birmingham on the world stage, and I want to keep doing it in the right way so my people back home are proud of me.”
Birmingham Phoenix fixtures for 2026 (all UK & Ireland times; all games live on Sky Sports)
Friday July 24: Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets, Edgbaston (women 3pm, men 6.30pm)
Sunday July 26: Manchester Super Giants vs Birmingham Phoenix, Emirates Old Trafford (women 11am, men 2.30pm)
Thursday July 30: Southern Brave vs Birmingham Phoenix, Utilita Bowl (women 3pm, men 6.30pm)
Saturday August 1: Birmingham Phoenix vs Welsh Fire, Edgbaston (women 11am, men 2.30pm)
Wednesday August 5: Trent Rockets vs Birmingham Phoenix, Trent Bridge (women 3pm, men 6.30pm)
Friday August 7: Birmingham Phoenix vs Sunrisers Leeds, Edgbaston (women 3pm, men 6.30pm)
Sunday August 9: London Spirit vs Birmingham Phoenix, Lord’s (women 2.30pm, men 6pm)
Wednesday August 12: Birmingham Phoenix vs MI London, Edgbaston (women 3pm, men 6.30pm)
Watch The Hundred live on Sky Sports from July 21 to August 16, 2026.