Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder and England international, has announced that he will become an investor in the Birmingham Phoenix franchise ahead of the 2026 edition of The Hundred. The young star, who grew up in Stourbridge, said he feels a deep sense of gratitude toward the city that nurtured his early football and cricket experiences, and that investing in the Phoenix is his way of giving back.
Bellingham will acquire a 1.2% share of the club’s equity. The majority stake remains with Warwickshire County Cricket Club, which holds 50.4%, while Knighthead Capital Management – the firm that owns Birmingham City and counts NFL legend Tom Brady as a minority investor – retains 48.4%. The partnership gives Bellingham a platform to champion community outreach and corporate‑social‑responsibility initiatives, encouraging greater participation in cricket and using sport as a bridge between people of diverse backgrounds. When asked about his motivation, Bellingham told Warwickshire CCC, "I feel like I owe the city something.
This feels like a good way to give back." He recalled childhood afternoons spent playing cricket with his brother Jobe, describing those moments as "scraps" that sparked a lifelong love for the game. "Cricket is now my favourite thing to watch outside football," he added, noting that the sport offers a different rhythm and elegance compared to the high‑octane world of professional soccer.
Bellingham highlighted the unique culture of Birmingham, saying, "In my case, Birmingham was a place where everyone wanted to see everyone do well. It was a city that pushed you to be better, to aim for the best.
It wasn't cut‑throat or ruthless like some other places I've visited; there was a genuine care for one another." He believes those values – community, respect, and mutual support – are integral to both cricket and football, and he intends to carry them with him wherever his career takes him, whether in Germany, Spain, or beyond. The investment comes at a time of significant change for The Hundred.
Since last year, more than £520 million of private capital has been poured into the competition, prompting a rebranding of three of the eight squads to align with 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 – men’s and women’s – will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in 2026, with a packed schedule that includes eliminators on 14 August and the finals on 16 August. Bellingham explained why he was eager to join the Phoenix: "When the opportunity arose, I didn’t think twice. I love Birmingham and I’m grateful for everything the city has done for me.
It’s the West Midlands that shaped my football and cricket journey, but Birmingham, in particular, gave me the best upbringing and the strongest sense of belonging." He went on to describe his personal connection to cricket, noting that he grew up playing the sport in local parks and now enjoys watching Test matches, especially when they fit around his training schedule. "Cricket is probably my favourite thing to watch outside football. I love the length of a Test, the strategy, the way a bowler crafts each delivery and a batsman builds an innings.
It’s a class‑filled, elegant game," he said. When pressed about the competitive dynamic with his brother, Bellingham laughed, "We were a very competitive pair.
Everything we did – Monopoly, football, cricket – ended in scraps and tears. Cricket was no different, even if Jobe didn’t love it as much as I did. It was still great fun." Discussing the values cricket instils, he observed, "There’s a certain class and elegance to cricket – the toss, the captains in their blazers and caps, the respectful interaction between fans and players. Even in fierce rivalries there’s an unspoken line of respect.
The sport feels very classy, and the way players move – bowling, batting – can be almost poetic." He also suggested that football could learn from cricket’s lighter side. "Cricket tends to be more humorous, with stump‑mic moments and quirky documentaries about characters over the years. It feels a bit more relaxed, allowing fans to relate to players as people, not just athletes. That kind of light‑heartedness could be a healthy addition to football culture," he remarked.
On staying true to his roots, Bellingham stressed, "It’s massively important. It’s not just my accent or the way I talk; it’s the values I took from Birmingham – the belief that everyone should see each other succeed, the community spirit, the lack of cut‑throat competition. Those are the principles I carry with me wherever I play, whether in Germany, Spain, or elsewhere.
I want to showcase that my hometown is a place of amazing values." He admitted that being a "Brummie" also means not taking everything too seriously, adding a dose of humility to his ambition. "Representing Birmingham on the world stage is an honour I don’t take lightly. I want my people back home to be proud of me and to see that I’m doing it the right way," he concluded.
The 2026 Hundred schedule features several Phoenix fixtures across iconic venues: a women’s and men’s double‑header against Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on 24 July, a clash with Manchester Super Giants at Emirates Old Trafford on 26 July, and further matches against Southern Brave, Welsh Fire, Sunrisers Leeds, London Spirit and MI London throughout August. All games will be streamed live on Sky Sports, offering fans across the UK and Ireland comprehensive coverage of both the men’s and women’s competitions. Bellingham’s involvement not only adds star power to the Phoenix but also signals a broader trend of elite athletes diversifying into cricket ownership, blending their passion for sport with a desire to foster community development and inspire the next generation of players.