Manchester Originals to Rebrand as Super Giants in 2026 After Takeover

The Manchester Originals franchise in The Hundred will undergo a significant transformation, rebranding as the Manchester Super Giants starting in 2026, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Whether the franchise shifts from the black colour of the Originals to the blue of the Super Giants is still yet to be seen © Getty

This change follows Sanjiv Goenka, owner of Lucknow Super Giants and Durban Super Giants, acquiring a £107 million stake in the franchise earlier this year. It remains to be seen if the team colors will transition from the Originals' black to the Super Giants' blue.

Last year, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) initiated the privatization of The Hundred, seeking external investment to capitalize on the growing popularity of the competition. The Manchester-based franchise attracted considerable interest, with the RPSG Group, owned by Goenka, ultimately securing the deal. Reports indicated that Goenka successfully outmaneuvered two other unnamed IPL franchises in the acquisition of the Originals.

Beyond cricket, Goenka's portfolio includes ownership of Mohun Bagan FC, a prominent Indian football team based in Kolkata.

The Manchester Originals boast impressive squads. The men's team features stars like Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Heinrich Klaasen, and the recent addition of James Anderson. The women's team showcases talent such as Sophie Ecclestone, Beth Mooney, Amelia Kerr, and Deandra Dottin.

The men's team reached the finals in both 2022 and 2023, while the women's team has yet to reach the playoffs in the tournament's history.

Upon finalizing the agreement, Goenka emphasized the potential of partnering with Lancashire Cricket to deliver high-quality cricket for an extended period. "We respect the legacy of Lancashire Cricket and we welcome Manchester Originals to our RPSG family," Goenka stated. "We are committed to developing a deep bond with the players, support team and the whole community at large. We believe in excellence and see a huge potential to deliver good quality cricket for generations to come."

James Sheridan, Chair of Manchester Originals, expressed his belief that the partnership with RPSG Group would enable the franchise to compete at a higher level, drawing inspiration from the IPL.

"We want to offer our fans an experience never before seen in English cricket - looking to the IPL, and other major sports, for inspiration, as we take our match day and fan experience to a completely different level. Whether in stadia or via digital channels, Manchester will be the team to follow in The Hundred as we will look to bring the world's top cricket stars, both female and male, to Manchester every August and provide sporting entertainment of the highest level to the people of Manchester and the wider North West."

Cricbuzz has reached out to Lancashire Cricket Club for confirmation on these developments, but has yet to receive a response.