Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder and England international, has announced that he will become a shareholder in the Birmingham Phoenix, one of the franchise teams in The Hundred cricket competition, ahead of the 2026 season. The young star, who grew up in Stourbridge, said he feels a deep sense of gratitude toward the city that helped shape his early life and that this investment is his way of giving back. Bellingham will acquire a 1.2% stake in the Phoenix, while Warwickshire County Cricket Club retains a controlling 50.4% share and Knighthead Capital Management – the ownership group behind Birmingham City Football Club, which also counts NFL legend Tom Brady as a minority investor – holds the remaining 48.4%. The arrangement gives the footballer a modest but meaningful voice in the club’s strategic direction, especially in areas such as community outreach and corporate social responsibility.
He has said he wants to use sport as a bridge between people from different backgrounds, encouraging more youngsters to try cricket and fostering a sense of belonging across the West Midlands. 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 went on to explain that his love for cricket dates back to childhood afternoons spent playing with his brother Jobe. "We used to scrap a lot when we played," he recalled, "but it was always a lot of fun and now it’s my favourite thing to watch outside of football." He described Birmingham as a place where "everyone wanted to see everyone do well" and where the community pushed each other to be better.
Unlike some other regions he has visited, which he described as "cut‑throat and ruthless," Birmingham, in his view, is characterised by mutual support and a genuine caring for neighbours. Those values, he said, travel with him wherever he goes – whether in Germany, Spain, or on international duty – and he hopes his involvement with the Phoenix will showcase the city’s positive spirit on a global stage.
The investment comes at a time of significant change for The Hundred. Since last year, more than £520 million of private capital has been pumped into the competition, prompting a wave of rebranding and new ownership. Three of the eight franchises have adopted new names that align them with their Indian Premier League partners: Manchester Super Giants (formerly the Originals), Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) and MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles).
The tournament’s format – 100‑ball cricket played by both men’s and women’s teams – is set to continue attracting a broad audience, with every match in 2026 scheduled for live broadcast on Sky Sports. Bellingham’s enthusiasm for cricket extends beyond his personal nostalgia.
He praised the sport’s elegance, noting the ritual of the toss, the formal attire of captains, and the respectful relationship between players and fans. "There’s a class to it that you don’t always see in football," he said.
He highlighted how cricket teaches young athletes discipline, patience, and sportsmanship, qualities that translate well to life off the field. When asked whether football could learn from cricket, Bellingham suggested that the latter’s lighter‑hearted atmosphere and emphasis on humour make it more relatable for supporters. He cited the popularity of stump‑mic interviews and documentaries that reveal the personalities behind the players, creating a more human connection than the often‑intense scrutiny football endures. Staying true to his roots is a core principle for Bellingham.
He explained that his Brummie upbringing instilled a set of values – humility, community spirit, and a desire to see others succeed – that he carries into his professional life. "It’s not just the accent or the way you talk; it’s the values you take from Birmingham," he affirmed. He also admitted that being a "Brummie" sometimes means not taking things too seriously, a trait he believes helps him stay grounded despite his global fame.
The Phoenix’s 2026 schedule features a series of high‑profile fixtures across England’s iconic venues. The campaign kicks off on July 21 and runs through August 16, with each day pairing a women’s match before the men’s game at the same ground. Highlights include a July 24 showdown at Edgbaston against the Trent Rockets, a late‑July clash with the Manchester Super Giants at Old Trafford, and a September‑style finale at Lord’s where the Phoenix meet London Spirit. All matches will be streamed live on Sky Sports, offering fans the chance to follow the action without a contract.
Beyond the on‑field excitement, Bellingham hopes his involvement will inspire other athletes to consider similar community‑focused investments. By linking his personal brand with a local cricket franchise, he aims to demonstrate how sport can be a catalyst for social cohesion, youth development, and regional pride. He concluded, "I want to show the world that where I come from is an amazing place with amazing values.
Representing Birmingham on the world stage is a huge honour, and I’ll keep working to make my hometown proud."