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The Hundred 2026 has come to an end. This was the first season where most of the teams had ownership changes, as the Indian Premier League (IPL) team owners got hold of the teams and changed their names. Now the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ownership group is planning to have a team in the Hundred.
There are franchise owners of Lucknow Super Giants, owns (Manchester Super Giants); MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles) is part-owned by Reliance Industries Limited, owners of Mumbai Indians. Sunrisers Leeds is owned by the Sun TV Network, owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Southern Brave is part-owned by the GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals.
Did KKR bid in the Hundred?
Now the KKR are planning to own a team in the same tournament only if the competition expands beyond its existing eight-team structure. Reportedly, the KKR group had their interest in owning a team when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) offered the sale of stakes fir the eight Hundred franchises, but eventually moved back from the race for the Trent Rockets.
As per the report from the BBC, the KKR officials decided not to progress with their interest because they felt Trent Rockets was slightly overvalued, which was eventually bought by Chelsea football club co-owner Todd Boehly and British businessman Jonathan Goldstein for just under £40m. However, the Knights Group is planning to return if two franchises are inducted.
ECB to expand the Hundred
The ECB is planning for another phase in the Hundred, as there have been discussions over the possible change from 8 teams to 10 teams in the tournament in the future. If so, Durham has been named as one of the places for an expansion franchise, while the south west of England could get another, with Bristol and Taunton among those possibly getting their chances.
There will not be any changes in this cycle till 2028, with 2029 as a potential launch year for a larger tournament. The Hundred would not just expand geographically with two more franchisees.
Additionally, they would have more broadcast revenues and fixtures, which may enable the ECB to look for more television deals when the next broadcasting rights cycle starts.
KKR set to buy Hundred franchise?
The expansion will help the Knight Riders Group to get a new team rather than investing in an older one, as they own Kolkata Knight Riders, which is the main team in the IPL.
While the group also operates as Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the UAE’s ILT20 and Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket in the United States. Buying another team will increase their popularity in the UK as well.
Coming to the Hundred 2026, it ended with Manchester Super Giants becoming the champions as they won their maiden men's title in The Hundred by defeating the Trent Rockets by five wickets in the final at Lord's on August 16, 2026.
In the Women’s competition, Trent Rockets also won their first trophy, defeating Sunrisers Leeds by eight wickets at Lord's.
