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GMR Group Acquires 49% Stake In Southern Brave As The Hundred Secures Landmark Investment For Cricket
GMR Group Acquires Stake In Southern Brave As The Hundred Secures Landmark Investment For Cricket
Global infrastructure giant GMR Group has completed a 49% acquisition of Southern Brave, marking a significant moment for Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl
GMR Group's acquistion of a stake in Southern Brave has been finalised with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today, confirming a landmark moment in cricket's history and the evolution of The Hundred tournament.
The acquisition sees GMR Group, who are majority owners of Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl, take a 49% share in Southern Brave. The investment is one of six completed deals announced by ECB, with the total valuation of The Hundred teams reaching over £975 million.
This pivotal moment sees The Hundred become the first UK sports competition to secure franchise partnerships of this scale, drawing on world-class expertise from across global sport, media, technology, and finance. The milestone comes less than a week before the 2025 competition begins and marks a transformative moment for the future of cricket in England & Wales.
Our investment in Southern Brave marks a significant milestone in GMR’s vision to shape the future of global cricket. We see Hampshire Cricket as a key pillar in that journey. Southern Brave has established a proud legacy in The Hundred, with both its men’s and women’s teams performing at the highest level. The tournament has a vibrant and diverse fan base, offering us with an exciting opportunity to engage with new audiences.
At GMR, we are committed to building on these strong foundations by combining global sporting excellence with deep infrastructure expertise. Utilita Bowl is a special venue, and the broader cricket ecosystem in Hampshire Cricket, from grassroots initiatives to The Brave, has immense potential. We believe the time is right to accelerate this momentum and elevate cricket on the South Coast to new heights.
Kiran Kumar Grandhi, GMR Sports Chairman
Collectively, the eight partnerships represent a valuation of the teams of over £975 million, with more than £500 million now set to be invested into the English and Welsh cricket ecosystem. This includes a dedicated £50 million commitment to grassroots cricket, ensuring the game continues to thrive at every level, with the remainder distributed to professional counties.
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. The sheer scale of global interest we've seen throughout this process highlights just how much potential remains to be unlocked.
With these new partners on board, we’re entering an exciting new phase and a seminal moment for cricket in England and Wales. Their global perspective and track record in elite sport and business will help us reimagine what’s possible — from deepening fan connections to attracting even more world-class players.
Crucially, this investment will not only fuel the competition’s growth but also channel transformative levels of funding into our professional counties and grassroots game. This will ensure cricket continues to thrive at all levels across England and Wales for generations to come, supporting our broader ambitions to become the country’s most inclusive sport and driving cricket into harder to reach and under-served communities.
