Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid star and England international, has announced that he is stepping into the world of cricket by becoming a shareholder in the Birmingham Phoenix, one of the franchises competing in The Hundred. The 23‑year‑old, who began his football journey in the West Midlands, said he feels a deep sense of obligation to the city that nurtured his talent, and sees this investment as a meaningful way to give back. Bellingham will acquire a 1.2 percent stake in the Phoenix, joining Warwickshire County Cricket Club, which retains a controlling 50.4 percent share, and Knighthead Capital Management – the owners of Birmingham City Football Club – which holds 48.4 percent.
Knighthead’s backers even include NFL icon Tom Brady as a minority investor, underscoring the cross‑sport appeal of the venture. When asked why he chose to support the Phoenix, Bellingham replied, “I feel like I owe the city something.
This feels like a good way to repay that debt.” He went on to explain that his childhood in Stourbridge, a suburb of Birmingham, gave him a strong attachment to the community, and that he hopes his involvement will boost local engagement, especially through community‑focused and corporate‑social‑responsibility projects. Cricket has always been a part of Bellingham’s life.
In a candid interview with Warwickshire CCC, he recalled how he and his older brother Jobe would turn any spare moment into a makeshift cricket match, often ending in friendly scrapes and laughter. He now describes the sport as his “favourite thing to watch outside football,” adding that he enjoys the long‑form Test matches most of all because they allow him to settle in for an entire day of play. He also reflected on the cultural differences between Birmingham and other places he has lived and played. “Birmingham was a place where everyone wanted to see everyone do well,” he said.
“It wasn’t cut‑throat like some other cities. People looked out for each other, and that spirit of mutual support is something I carry with me wherever I go – whether in Germany, Spain or elsewhere.” Bellingham believes that this sense of community is a core value he can bring to the Phoenix, helping the club become a hub for people from diverse backgrounds to connect through sport.
The investment arrives at a pivotal moment for The Hundred. Since last year, the tournament has attracted more than £520 million in private capital, prompting a wave of rebranding and ownership changes. Three of the eight teams have adopted new identities linked to their Indian Premier League partners: Manchester Super Giants (formerly the Originals), Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) and MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles). The influx of money is expected to raise the profile of the competition, improve facilities, and expand the fan base across the UK and Ireland.
All matches – both men’s and women’s – will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in 2026, with a packed schedule that runs from July 21 to August 16. The fixtures include a series of double‑headers where a women’s game precedes the men’s contest at the same venue, a format designed to give equal exposure to both genders.
Key dates for the Phoenix include a July 24 clash with the Trent Rockets at Edgbaston, a July 30 meeting with Southern Brave at the Utilita Bowl, and a August 12 showdown against MI London, also at Edgbaston. In addition to his equity stake, Bellingham said he intends to be actively involved in promoting cricket in schools and community centres throughout the West Midlands. He envisions partnerships with local charities, youth academies, and health initiatives that use sport as a catalyst for positive change.
By leveraging his global profile, he hopes to attract more young people to the game and demonstrate that cricket, like football, can be a vehicle for personal development, teamwork, and cultural exchange. When pressed about the differences between football and cricket, Bellingham highlighted cricket’s inherent elegance. “There’s a certain class to it – the toss, the captain’s blazer, the way players conduct themselves on the field,” he noted. He believes that cricket’s slower pace allows for a different kind of storytelling, one that can foster respect between rivals and showcase the sport’s nuanced tactics.
He also suggested that football could learn from cricket’s lighter‑hearted moments, pointing to the humor found in stump‑mic interviews and the camaraderie that often emerges during long Test sessions. Bellingham’s commitment to his roots is evident in his repeated emphasis on staying true to Birmingham’s values. He described the city as a place where ambition is balanced with community care, a contrast to the “cut‑throat” environments he has encountered elsewhere. “I want to show the world that where I come from is an amazing place with amazing values,” he said.
He admits that he sometimes makes mistakes, a self‑deprecating nod to the typical Brummie sense of humour, but stresses that representing Birmingham on the global stage is an honour he does not take lightly. In summary, Jude Bellingham’s foray into cricket ownership reflects a broader trend of athletes diversifying their portfolios and using their platforms for social impact. By aligning himself with the Birmingham Phoenix, he not only deepens his connection to his hometown but also contributes to the growth of a sport that he loves.
As The Hundred prepares for its 2026 season, fans can expect to see Bellingham’s influence both on and off the field, as he works to blend the excitement of football with the tradition and class of cricket, all while championing the community that shaped him.