Knight Riders Group Eyes The Hundred Expansion — If It Ever Happens
Kolkata Knight Riders' owners are keen to buy into a new Hundred franchise, but only if England's summer tournament grows beyond its current eight teams. Knight Riders Group, which already owns cricket teams across four continents, has signalled interest should The Hundred expand to ten sides, according to BBC Sport.
The interest is not new. Knight Riders Group took part in the ECB's auction of stakes in The Hundred's eight franchises last year, bidding for Trent Rockets. That franchise ultimately sold a 49% stake to Cain International — an investment firm founded by Todd Boehly and Jonathan Goldstein — for just under £40m. BBC Sport understands senior Knight Riders officials walked away because they felt the Rockets were slightly overvalued at that price.
The eight Hundred franchises carried a combined valuation of roughly £975 million during the ECB's equity sale, according to ESPN. The England and Wales Cricket Board retains full ownership of the competition itself while bringing in strategic partners as investors in individual teams, as confirmed by the ECB.
Expansion, though, is not imminent. The Hundred is unlikely to add teams before the end of its current media rights cycle, which runs through 2028. Adding two sides and more fixtures could boost the value of the next broadcast deal, with expansion possible from 2029 onward. Durham and a team in the south west — potentially based in Bristol or Taunton — have been touted as possible bases for new franchises.
For now, Knight Riders Group will watch from the outside. They already own franchises in India (Kolkata Knight Riders), the Caribbean (Trinbago Knight Riders), the UAE and the United States. The group has also been in talks with the IOC and ICC about installing a cricket square for the LA 2028 Olympics, where a modular venue is planned with capacity rising from 5,000 to 15,000, per BBC Sport.
IPL money is already embedded in The Hundred. Four of the eight existing teams are owned or part-owned by groups with IPL links. From the 2026 season, the Oval Invincibles rebranded as MI London, aligning with Mumbai Indians' ownership group, according to the ECB. Sunrisers Leeds, Manchester Super Giants and Southern Brave carry similar Indian franchise connections.
What makes the Knight Riders' stance notable is the patience behind it. Rather than overpay for a stake in an existing team, they are waiting for what they see as a better opportunity — a fresh franchise in a competition they clearly believe will grow. Whether that expansion materialises depends on broadcast economics that will not fully come into focus until the current rights deal nears its end.
In the meantime, The Hundred's existing teams are channelling private investment into the grassroots game. Around 300 facility projects are expected across England and Wales in 2026, funded by the partnership money flowing into the competition. KP Snacks brands — including McCoys, Pom-Bears and Hula-Hoops — will also appear on team kits and competition branding from the 2026 season, the ECB announced.
The Knight Riders may yet join the party. It just will not happen this year, next year, or likely the year after that. The wait, they appear to have decided, is worth it.
