The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sees the expansion of the Hundred as an inevitable next step following a major financial boost from the sale of stakes in the competition’s eight teams. The recent auction raised over £520 million, placing a total enterprise value of just over £975 million on the tournament.
Interest in the auction was significant, with a consortium of Silicon Valley investors committing £144 million for a 49% stake in London Spirit, and multiple Indian Premier League franchise owners acquiring large stakes in other teams. With such strong backing, the ECB believes the competition will continue to grow, making expansion a logical progression.
Expansion would be a clear indicator of the tournament’s success, according to the ECB’s director of business operations. While acknowledging the work ahead, the governing body remains optimistic that a growing tournament will benefit cricket across the country. The priority remains ensuring that the sport thrives at both professional and recreational levels.
Despite the influx of wealthy investors, the ECB has emphasized its commitment to retaining governance of the competition and the cricketing calendar. Selling the competition outright was never considered, as maintaining control over the domestic structure, including the County Championship and T20 Blast, remains a priority. Any significant changes to these formats would require a two-thirds majority approval within the ECB’s governance framework.
With the Hundred now an established part of the English summer, discussions continue regarding how best to structure the domestic calendar. The ECB acknowledges that adjustments may be needed but remains focused on optimizing the summer schedule to accommodate all formats of the game.
While some investors are thought to prefer transitioning the Hundred into a Twenty20 competition to align with global tournaments once the current television deal expires in 2028, the ECB has downplayed this possibility. There has been little pressure for a format change, as investors are primarily focused on ensuring the tournament continues to grow successfully.
Concerns that matches might be scheduled earlier in the day to cater to the Indian market have also been dismissed. The ECB maintains that the tournament’s current structure, including its evening match timings that allow families to attend, is a key factor in its appeal. Investors, according to the governing body, recognize the importance of maintaining what has already worked well in reaching new audiences.
The financial benefits of the sale extend beyond the Hundred itself. Counties without a team in the tournament are set to receive between £20 million and £27 million each, while grassroots cricket initiatives are expected to receive around £50 million. The ECB believes this investment secures the future of cricket at all levels in England and Wales, ensuring support for county cricket, the continued growth of the women’s game, and greater opportunities for young players to engage with the sport.
With this injection of funds, the Hundred’s position within English cricket appears stronger than ever. As investment continues and the tournament develops, expansion seems an increasingly likely step, bringing further growth to the domestic game.
