Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder and England international, has announced that he will become a shareholder in the Birmingham Phoenix franchise ahead of The Hundred’s 2026 season. The young star, who grew up in Stourbridge, said he feels a deep sense of gratitude toward the city that nurtured his early sporting life and wants to give back through this new venture.
The former Birmingham City academy product will acquire a 1.2% stake in the Phoenix, joining Warwickshire County Cricket Club, which retains a controlling 50.4% share, and Knighthead Capital Management, the owners of Birmingham City Football Club, which hold 48.4%. Knighthead’s investment group also counts NFL legend Tom Brady as a minority investor.
Bellingham’s involvement is being framed as a way to promote community outreach and corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, with a particular focus on expanding cricket participation among young people from diverse backgrounds. When asked about his motivation, Bellingham said, “I feel like I owe the city something.
This feels like a good way to give back.” In a conversation with Warwickshire CCC, he recalled how he and his brother Jobe used to play cricket in the backyard, often ending their games in friendly scraps. He now admits that cricket is his favourite sport to watch when he is not on the football pitch.
He added, “Birmingham was always a place where everybody wanted each other to succeed. It was a supportive environment that pushed me to be better. It isn’t the cut‑throat atmosphere you find in some other cities.
People really look out for each other, and that’s a value I carry with me wherever I go – whether in Germany, Spain or any other country.” Bellingham’s investment comes at a time of considerable change for The Hundred. Since last year, more than £520 million of private capital has been poured into the 100‑ball format, and three of the eight franchises have been rebranded to reflect new ownership ties with the Indian Premier League: 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 schedule that pairs a women’s game with a men’s fixture at the same venue each day. Bellingham explained why he was eager to join the Phoenix: “When the opportunity came up I didn’t think twice.
I love Birmingham and I’m incredibly grateful for everything the city has given me. It’s the West Midlands where I played a lot of football and cricket, but Birmingham holds a special place because of the club I grew up with.
Birmingham City gave me the best upbringing in sport and in life, and I want to repay that.” He also spoke at length about his affection for cricket. “I used to play the game when I was younger, and now, as I get older, I appreciate the strategy and the elegance of it even more. Watching Test matches is my favourite way to unwind after training.
The pace, the tactics, the patience required – it’s a beautiful contrast to the intensity of football.” When asked whether cricket was as competitive as football between him and his brother, Bellingham laughed, “We were a competitive pair. Anything we did – Monopoly, football, cricket – ended in a bit of a scrap.
Jobe might not have loved cricket as much as I did, but we always had a great time together.” Discussing the values that cricket imparts, he noted, “There’s a certain class and elegance to the sport – the toss, the captain’s blazer, the way players conduct themselves. Even in heated rivalries there’s a line of respect that’s often clearer than in football. The way bowlers and batsmen move, the rhythm of the game, it’s all very graceful.” He wondered whether football could learn something from cricket, suggesting, “Cricket tends to be a bit more light‑hearted.
There’s humour in the stump‑mic interviews and the personalities that shine through. Players are often appreciated for both their skill and their character, perhaps more so than in football where scrutiny can be relentless.” On the importance of staying true to his roots, Bellingham was emphatic: “It’s massively important.
It’s not just about my accent; it’s about the values I took from Birmingham – community, mutual support, a desire to see everyone succeed. Those values travel with me to every stadium I step into, whether in Germany, Spain or elsewhere. I want the world to see that Birmingham is an amazing place with amazing values.” He admitted that sometimes he “gets it wrong” but said that humility is part of being a Brummie, and that he never takes his role as an ambassador for the city lightly.
The Phoenix’s 2026 schedule includes high‑profile fixtures at Edgbaston, Lord’s and other iconic grounds. Highlights include a home clash against the Trent Rockets on July 24, a showdown with Manchester Super Giants at the Emirates Old Trafford on July 26, and a final‑stage match against MI London on August 12. All games will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with the women’s matches preceding the men’s fixtures each day. Bellingham’s involvement signals a broader trend of elite footballers diversifying into other sports and community projects.
By leveraging his profile and financial resources, he hopes to boost cricket’s visibility in the Midlands, inspire young athletes, and reinforce the social fabric that shaped his own career. As he put it, “I owe Birmingham something, and this feels like a good way – a different but still sporting avenue – to give back and keep the city proud.”