Real Madrid star and England midfielder Jude Bellingham has publicly declared that he feels a debt to his hometown of Birmingham after being named as a new shareholder in the The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix for the 2026 campaign. The former Birmingham City academy product will focus on community outreach and corporate‑social‑responsibility initiatives, aiming to boost cricket participation and use sport as a bridge between people of diverse backgrounds.
Bellingham, who grew up in the Stourbridge area, will acquire a 1.2 percent stake in the Phoenix. The majority share, 50.4 percent, remains with Warwickshire County Cricket Club, while Knighthead Capital Management – the owners of Birmingham City and a firm that counts NFL great Tom Brady as a minority investor – holds 48.4 percent. In the press release announcing his involvement, Bellingham said, "I feel like I owe the city something.
And this feels like a good way." During a conversation with Warwickshire CCC officials, the 23‑year‑old explained his affection for cricket, recalling how he and his brother Jobe used to "scrap" over the game in their youth and how, today, cricket is his favourite pastime to watch when he is not on the football pitch. He added, "Birmingham was always a place where everyone wanted to see each other succeed.
It was a community that pushed me to be better, to aim for the top. It never felt cut‑throat like some other places I've visited; everyone looked out for each other." Bellingham said that this communal spirit is a core value he carries with him wherever he travels – whether in Germany, Spain or elsewhere – and he hopes his involvement with the Phoenix will showcase the city’s positive attributes on a global stage. "I want to show the world that where I come from is an amazing place with amazing values," he explained. The investment forms part of a broader overhaul of The Hundred ahead of the 2026 season, which has attracted more than £520 million in private capital since the previous year.
Three of the eight franchises have been rebranded to reflect their new Indian Premier League‑linked owners: Manchester Super Giants (formerly the Originals), Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) and MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles). All matches – both men’s and women’s – will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with the eliminators slated for Friday 14 August and the finals on Sunday 16 August. Each day will feature a women's game followed by a men’s fixture at the same venue. When asked why he chose to join Birmingham Phoenix, Bellingham replied without hesitation: "When the opportunity came up, I didn’t think twice.
I love Birmingham and I’m grateful for everything the city has given me. The West Midlands is where I played a lot of football and cricket, but Birmingham, in particular, feels like home because of the club I grew up with." He praised Birmingham City as the best team he could have emerged from and the best team he could support, noting that the club gave him the strongest foundation in both sport and life.
"I feel like I owe the city something, and this is a different but still sporting way to give back," he said. On cricket, Bellingham confessed that it has become his preferred sport to watch beyond football. "I love cricket.
I played it as a kid, and now, as an adult, I enjoy watching it on TV. Test matches are my favourite – I can spend an entire day following the action, or tune in after training sessions." He described the rivalry with his brother Jobe as a typical sibling competition: "We were a competitive pair – everything we did ended in scraps, whether it was Monopoly, football or cricket.
Jobe maybe didn’t love cricket as much as I did, but we still had a great time together." Discussing the values cricket imparts, Bellingham highlighted the sport’s inherent class and elegance, something he feels is less evident in football. He pointed to the ceremonial aspects – the toss, captains in blazers and caps, and the respectful interaction between fans and players – as examples of cricket’s refined culture. "Even in fierce rivalries there’s a line of respect. It’s a classy sport, and the way players move to bowl or bat can be truly elegant," he observed.
He wondered whether football could learn from cricket’s lighter, more humorous side. "Cricket feels a bit more fun. There’s humour in the stump‑mic moments and the documentaries about its characters. The game seems less scrutinised, allowing players to be appreciated for both their skill and their personalities," Bellingham suggested.
On staying true to his roots, he stressed that his Birmingham upbringing shapes everything he does. "It’s not just an accent; it’s the values you take away.
Birmingham taught me that everyone wants each other to succeed, that community support matters more than cut‑throat competition. I carry that wherever I go, whether in Germany, Spain or elsewhere. I want to show the world that my city has amazing values." He admitted that being a "Brummie" sometimes means not taking things too seriously, but also emphasized the honour he feels representing Birmingham on the world stage. "It’s a huge honour, and I don’t take it lightly.
I want to keep doing it the right way so my people back home can be proud," he concluded. The 2026 Hundred schedule lists several Phoenix fixtures, beginning with a women's and men’s double‑header against the Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on 24 July, followed by matches against Manchester Super Giants, Southern Brave, Welsh Fire, Sunrisers Leeds, London Spirit and MI London across iconic venues such as Lord’s, Trent Bridge and the Emirates Old Trafford. All games will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with no subscription contract required for the cricket‑only feed, and the Sky Sports app available for download for convenient viewing.