England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has become a new investor in The Hundred's Birmingham Phoenix, ahead of the 2026 season, stating he feels a sense of obligation to the city of Birmingham. Bellingham will focus on community engagement and corporate social responsibility projects, aiming to increase cricket participation and bring people together through sports. He has acquired 1.2 per cent of the equity, with Warwickshire County Cricket Club maintaining majority control at 50.4 per cent and Birmingham City owners Knighthead Capital Management holding 48.4 per cent. Bellingham expressed his love for cricket, recalling how he and his brother Jobe would play and compete as children, and now considers it his favorite sport to watch outside of football.
He emphasized the importance of remembering his roots and staying true to the values he learned growing up in Birmingham, which he believes are centered around community and mutual support. Bellingham's investment is part of a larger restructuring in The Hundred, with over £520m in private investment injected into the tournament since last year. The 2026 season will feature all matches live on Sky Sports, including the eliminators and finals, with a women's game preceding a men's fixture at the same venue each day.