Real Madrid star and England midfielder Jude Bellingham has announced a new venture that goes beyond the football pitch: he is taking a 1.2% equity stake in the Birmingham Phoenix, one of the franchises that compete in The Hundred cricket competition. The former Birmingham City academy product says he feels a deep sense of gratitude toward the city that raised him, and he wants to give back by supporting community projects and corporate‑social‑responsibility initiatives that use sport as a bridge between people from different walks of life.
Bellingham, who grew up in the Stourbridge area of the West Midlands, will sit alongside Warwickshire County Cricket Club, which retains a controlling 50.4% share, and Knighthead Capital Management – the investment firm that backs Birmingham City and counts NFL legend Tom Brady as a minority partner – which holds 48.4%. In a brief statement released at the time of the announcement, the 23‑year‑old said, "I feel like I owe the city something. And this feels like a good way." His affection for cricket is not a recent development.
In an interview with Warwickshire CCC, Bellingham recalled how he and his older brother Jobe used to "scrap" over the sport while they were kids, and how, as an adult, cricket has become his favourite pastime to watch when he is not on the football field. "It’s probably my favourite thing to watch outside football," he said, adding that he enjoys the longer formats, especially Test matches, because they allow him to settle in for a full day of action after a training session. Bellingham also used the interview to reflect on the values he associates with Birmingham.
He described the city as a place where "everyone wanted to see everyone do well" and where the community pushes each other to be better, rather than fostering the cut‑throat, ruthless atmosphere he has observed in some other regions. Those values, he explained, are a core part of his identity and something he carries with him on his travels to Germany, Spain and beyond. "I want to kind of show people, show the world that where I come from is an amazing place with amazing values," he said. The investment arrives at a time of significant change for The Hundred.
Since last year, more than £520 million of private capital has been injected into the 100‑ball‑a‑side tournament, prompting a wave of rebranding and ownership reshuffles. Three of the eight franchises have adopted new names that align with their Indian Premier League partners: Manchester Super Giants (formerly the Originals), Sunrises Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) and MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles). The competition’s schedule for 2026 has already been released, with both men’s and women’s matches slated for broadcast on Sky Sports. The knockout stage will culminate with the eliminators on Friday 14 August and the final on Sunday 16 August, each day featuring a women’s game followed by a men’s fixture at the same venue.
When asked why he chose to back Birmingham Phoenix, Bellingham replied without hesitation: "When I got the opportunity to get involved, I didn’t really think twice about it and I’m so happy to be on board. I love Birmingham.
I’m very grateful for what they’ve done for me. The whole city of Birmingham really… well, at least half of it!" He went on to explain that the West Midlands is where he spent the bulk of his early football and cricket experiences, and that Birmingham City was the "best team I could have ever come through at and the best team I could have supported." He believes that his involvement with the Phoenix offers a different, yet still sporting, avenue to give back to the community that shaped him. Bellingham’s enthusiasm for cricket extends beyond nostalgia.
He sees the sport as a conduit for teaching young people important life lessons. "There’s a class and elegance to cricket that you don’t always see in football," he observed.
He highlighted the ritual of the toss, the tradition of captains in blazers and caps, and the mutual respect that often exists between fans and players, even in heated rivalries. "It’s a very classy sport. The way the players move to bowl and bat can be downright elegant," he added. He also suggested that football could learn a thing or two from cricket’s lighter side.
"Cricket is probably a bit more funny, more light‑hearted. The characters, the stump‑mic moments, the documentaries – they show a side of sport that’s relatable and less scrutinised," Bellingham said. He believes this approach helps fans connect with athletes as people, not just as performers. Staying true to his roots, Bellingham stressed that his Birmingham upbringing influences everything he does, from his accent to his values.
He reiterated that the city’s culture of collective upliftment, rather than cut‑throat competition, has left an indelible mark on him. "That’s one of the main values that I try and take with me when I’ve been to Germany, now in Spain, and all over the world to play," he said.
"I want to kind of show people, show the world that where I come from is an amazing place with amazing values." The upcoming Hundred season will see Birmingham Phoenix take on several opponents across iconic venues. The schedule includes 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 a series of matches against Southern Brave, Welsh Fire, Sunrisers Leeds, London Spirit and MI London throughout August. All games will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with no contract required for viewers in the UK and Ireland.
In summary, Jude Bellingham’s modest 1.2% stake in Birmingham Phoenix is more than a financial move; it is a heartfelt gesture of gratitude toward the city that nurtured his talent. By aligning himself with a sport that he loves and a community that he respects, Bellingham hopes to promote inclusivity, encourage youth participation, and showcase the distinctive spirit of Birmingham on a global stage.
His involvement underscores a broader trend of elite athletes leveraging their platforms to support grassroots initiatives, and it adds another layer of excitement to the evolving landscape of The Hundred as it heads into its 2026 season.