Northern Superchargers rebranded as Sunrisers Leeds ahead of the Hundred 2026 season
Northern Superchargers have been renamed Sunrisers Leeds ahead of The Hundred 2026 season after a £100m takeover by Sun Group. Manchester and Oval franchises also set for name changes.
In a major development for The Hundred, the Northern Superchargers have officially been renamed Sunrisers Leeds, marking a new era for the Leeds-based franchise. The rebranding comes after the Sun Group, an Indian media conglomerate and owners of IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad and SA20’s Sunrisers Eastern Cape, completed a £100 million takeover earlier this year.
The ownership change means the Sun Group now holds 100% control of the franchise after acquiring both Yorkshire’s 51% stake and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) 49% share. Documents filed with the UK’s Companies House confirm that the Superchargers’ name will be discontinued, replaced by Sunrisers Leeds to align with the group’s global cricket identity.
Two More Name Changes on the Horizon
The Hundred’s eight franchises are now under private ownership, and Sunrisers Leeds may not be the only side with a new identity next season.
- Manchester Originals are set to become Manchester Super Giants, following Lancashire’s deal with the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, which also owns IPL’s Lucknow Super Giants.
- Oval Invincibles are likely to be rebranded as MI London, with Reliance Industries Limited (owners of Mumbai Indians) expected to finalise their minority investment soon.
These changes are part of a broader internationalisation strategy for the tournament, as global investors bring familiar branding and cross-league visibility to The Hundred.
Yorkshire’s Financial Relief
Yorkshire County Cricket Club CEO Sanjay Patel said earlier this year that the sale has been crucial in stabilising the club’s finances. “The deal puts the club in a strong financial position, which has been far from the case for many years here, and we can start looking towards a very bright future,” Patel stated.
On-Field Impact
The Superchargers’ women’s team enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, clinching The Hundred title after defeating Southern Brave at Lord’s. The men’s team, meanwhile, fell short in the eliminator but will return next season with a new head coach, with reports linking Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Daniel Vettori to the vacancy following Andrew Flintoff’s departure.
The Hundred’s New Era
The ECB has also confirmed a shift from a draft system to an open player auction from the 2026 season. The move, along with increased salaries and an extra overseas player per team, aims to attract top international stars and boost the competition’s global appeal.
The Hundred 2026 season is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16, ushering in a new era both on and off the field, with Sunrisers Leeds leading the way as the league’s first fully rebranded team.
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