England cricket chiefs confirm sale of six Hundred franchises

The Hundred Franchises Find New Owners

In 2021 the UK’s bright new cricket format, called The Hundred, was introduced to exciting fanfare. Six of its eight city‑based teams have now been sold to private investors, while deals for the Oval Invincibles and Trent Rockets are still pending.

Financial Momentum

• ECB foresees a windfall of nearly £1 billion from the franchise auction.
• New investment could eventually generate £520 million for England and Wales cricket.

Team Selling Highlights

London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Southern Brave, and Welsh Fire have completed the sale of their stakes.

Oval Invincibles still hold a 49 % share that is yet to be finalized, and the joint takeover of Trent Rockets by Cain International and Ares Management remains on track.

International Investor Influence

Four groups linked to the affluent Indian Premier League have invested vast sums in the competition’s franchises.

ECB Chairman Opinion

ECB chairman Richard Thompson stated: “The Hundred has already played a vital role in growing cricket in England and Wales—attracting new audiences, elevating the women’s game, and delivering high‑quality entertainment.”

He added: “This investment will not only fuel the competition’s growth, but also channel transformative levels of funding into our professional counties and grassroots game.”