The fifth edition of The Hundred kicks off on Tuesday, 5 August, with a double-header at Lord’s featuring London Spirit and Oval Invincibles, amid the biggest financial and strategic shake-up in its short history. With six of the competition’s eight teams sold off in deals set to raise over £520 million, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is preparing for a new era — one where private ownership, global affiliations, and potentially even a new format are on the table.
IPL Franchise Owners Back The Hundred in Historic Deal
In a landmark move, four Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners have been confirmed as strategic partners for teams in The Hundred. The deals, which give them operational control from 1 October, mark the first time UK sport has witnessed such large-scale global ownership integration.
Among the confirmed ownerships:
• RPSG Group (Lucknow Super Giants) will take a 70% stake in Manchester Originals
• Sun TV Network (Sunrisers Hyderabad) now owns 100% of Northern Superchargers
• GMR Group (Delhi Capitals co-owner) has acquired 49% of Southern Brave
• Reliance Group (Mumbai Indians) is set to complete a 49% stake in Oval Invincibles
Other deals include:
• Knighthead Capital – 49% of Birmingham Phoenix
• Tech Titans – 49% of London Spirit
• Washington Freedom – 49% of Welsh Fire
• Cain International & Ares Management are also set to join the Trent Rockets.
This pivotal moment sees The Hundred become the first UK sports competition to secure franchise partnerships of this scale. Each investor brings a tailored vision and expertise, reflecting the growing commercial and cultural momentum behind the tournament.
£500M Investment Set to Supercharge English Cricket
The eight-team stake sales are expected to raise more than £520 million, valuing the tournament at nearly £1 billion and unlocking long-term funding for both grassroots and professional cricket in England and Wales.
Each first-class county will receive an initial £400,000, with non-host counties eventually gaining around £25 million. Host counties are guaranteed at least £18 million, with some already earning more through partial sales of team stakes.
The sheer scale of global interest we've seen highlights just how much potential remains to be unlocked.
While the ECB retains full ownership of the competition, including control over the playing window and regulations, a new strategic board comprising ECB representatives, investors and host clubs will guide its commercial and structural future.
Format Under Scrutiny, Rebrand & Champions League in Sight
ECB CEO Richard Gould admitted the 100-ball format — designed to reduce match time and appeal to TV broadcasters — is “up for debate,” especially with some global audiences still favouring the more familiar T20 format.
(Switching to T20) is one of the things that will be discussed. The core DNA will remain, but we’ll look to supercharge it.
A Champions League-style tournament involving winners of international franchise leagues is also being considered. Gould has indicated the ECB would prefer to send the winner of The Hundred, not the Vitality Blast, to represent England.
At least three team rebrands are expected:
• Manchester Originals aligning with Lucknow Super Giants
• Northern Superchargers becoming part of the Sunrisers family
• Oval Invincibles likely to join the MI (Mumbai Indians) global stable
The Fan Dilemma: Has The Hundred Created Lifelong Cricket Lovers?
Despite its commercial success, the ECB acknowledges it hasn’t yet measured how many new Hundred fans move on to follow other formats like Tests or ODIs.
We haven’t done that work in any great detail. That’s probably something we need to do — to check where new fans go after attending The Hundred.
Still, The Hundred has drawn impressive demographics since its 2021 debut:
• 540,000+ tickets sold in 2024
• 31% women, 23% juniors, 41% families
• 400,000+ junior ticket-holders across four seasons
• 30% first-time cricket fans in 2024
Teams to Watch & Players to Follow (Men's and women's Edition)
Oval Invincibles enter as favourites, looking to complete a historic three-peat. Led by Sam Billings and Sam Curran, they’ve bolstered their squad with Rashid Khan and Donovan Ferreira, adding depth to an already title-winning unit.
But for those looking beyond the favourites, Manchester Originals might be the dark horses. Despite a dismal 2024, the Originals reached the finals in 2022 and 2023 — and now return with serious firepower.
Captain Jos Buttler and opening partner Phil Salt are joined by the experienced James Anderson, the explosive Rachin Ravindra, and the ever-dangerous Heinrich Klaasen.
In the women’s competition, Oval Invincibles are again among the favourites (4/1), but many eyes are on Welsh Fire. After topping the table last season and narrowly losing the final to London Spirit, Fire are tipped to go all the way in 2025.
They boast a fearsome core in Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, and Hayley Matthews, the latter currently ranked world No.2 in T20I batting.
Men’s Competition: (All times BST and subject to change)
• 5 Aug: London Spirit v Oval Invincibles – Lord’s, 18:30
• 9 Aug: Welsh Fire v London Spirit – Cardiff, 18:00
• 12 Aug: Birmingham Phoenix v Oval Invincibles – Edgbaston, 18:30
• 16 Aug: Oval Invincibles v Welsh Fire – The Oval, 18:00
• 19 Aug: Trent Rockets v Manchester Originals – Trent Bridge, 18:30
• 23 Aug: London Spirit v Southern Brave – Lord’s, 18:00
• 26 Aug: Northern Superchargers v Manchester Originals – Headingley, 18:30
• 31 Aug: Final – Lord’s, 18:00
Women’s Competition
• 5 Aug: London Spirit v Oval Invincibles – Lord’s, 14:45
• 9 Aug: Welsh Fire v London Spirit – Cardiff, 14:30
• 12 Aug: Birmingham Phoenix v Oval Invincibles – Edgbaston, 15:00
• 16 Aug: Oval Invincibles v Welsh Fire – The Oval, 14:30
• 19 Aug: Trent Rockets v Manchester Originals – Trent Bridge, 15:00
• 23 Aug: London Spirit v Southern Brave – Lord’s, 14:30
• 26 Aug: Northern Superchargers v Manchester Originals – Headingley, 15:00
• 31 Aug: Final – Lord’s, 14:15
