The Hundred's sizzling summer of cricket kicks off in London today, as some of the sport's most high-profile international owners descend upon the capital. The Oval is set to be abuzz with excitement this afternoon, as members of the Ambani family – one of Asia's richest dynasties – put their team MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles) through its paces against Sunrisers Leeds, backed by Indian investors.
The city's Lord's cricket ground will be the focus of attention on Thursday, when US-based 'Tech Titans' take in their London Spirit team's opening match against Manchester Super Giants, co-owned by Indian investors. This new era for The Hundred marks a seismic shift in the sport, with at least 49 per cent of each of its eight teams having changed hands in the past year and a half – largely to American and Indian buyers.
It's not just the ownership that's undergone a revolution: this season brings some eye-catching changes. Gone are traditional team names; instead, think sleek new logos, redesigned kits, and an auction system for player recruitment – replacing the old draft format with added excitement and strategy ahead of each matchday.
But the real game-changers aren't just these surface-level tweaks: The Hundred's owners are already in discussions about its future direction. On the cards are plans to bring Indian male players into the fold, potentially turbocharging global interest – and even a possible switch to Twenty20 format by 2027. Part-owner Jude Bellingham will be making an appearance at some point during the competition, underlining this fresh investment's broad appeal.
The tournament's sponsorship landscape is also undergoing a makeover, with Barclays and Vitality taking on new front-of-shirt roles – a first for The Hundred since its inception. And while betting brands are yet to secure deals in anticipation of future restrictions, a third trophy has been introduced this season: the overall team title, awarded alongside men's and women's winners' gongs, is up for grabs with each winner pocketing approximately £700,000.