Hampshire Cricket will join forces with major cricket clubs from around the world to create the World’s leading Twenty20 global cricket franchise under the banner of the Royals2020.

Who is involved?

The founding teams represent the major cricket playing countries of the world. From India, the Rajasthan Royals – winners of the inaugural Indian Premier League in 2008 – will become the first member of this new alliance to compete at the commencement of this years’ IPL. In England, the Hampshire Hawks will become the Hampshire Royals in this season’s Friends Provident t20 and the new 40-over league. In South Africa details are being finalized for the Cape Cobras to become the Cape Royals. And details of participation are being finalized with Trinidad and Tobago, from the West Indies and Cricket Victoria in Australia.
 
What is Royals2020?

The Royals is a dynamic partnership of leading cricket clubs around the world, with the aim of creating the ‘World’s First Global Sporting Franchise’.

The Royals’ mission is to create a ‘unique brand of cricket’, based on the promotion of young talent, supported by some of the leading Twenty20 superstars in the world.

The Royals strategy is to have a competitive team in each of the main cricketing markets around the world and the selection criteria for the partners has been based on teams’ record in and commitment to Twenty20 Cricket, commitment to player development, potential for a unique in-stadia experience and a cultural and commercial fit with the Royals ethos.

The Royals experience will be built around dynamic cricket and excellence in in-stadia experience for fans across the world.

What are the benefits of Royals2020?

For fans of the Royals, there is a team to support all year round, with Royals teams in each of the major leagues in the world. Cricket fans are amongst the most geographically mobile in any sport.

For the Partner Clubs, there will be a commercial opportunity in new markets, a commercial fee for the naming rights and participation in the annual ‘Royals Festivals’. There is also potential for knowledge sharing, talent sharing and participation in a central revenue pool.

For sponsors, there will be a truly global sporting franchise which operates at both a local and international level.

What will it mean for Hampshire Cricket?

Joining this global franchise will create a range of great new opportunities for Hampshire Cricket and everyone associated with the Club including players of all levels, supporters and commercial partners.

The partnership will open up significant new revenue generating opportunities to provide funding for our ongoing development plans.

The Club will have access to emerging talent from around the world through a close alliance with the Academies of all the other Royals partners.

Fans can look forward to seeing new and innovative off-field entertainment packages taken from the best practice from other successful Twenty20 competitions which will help further Twenty20’s reputation as the must-see domestic format of the game.

Reciprocal links between the franchise partners will also allow Hampshire fans to see some of the world’s best players in action both at The Rose Bowl and at the partner grounds overseas.
 
The Hampshire team will play as the Hampshire Royals in the Twenty20 and 40 over formats and as Hampshire Cricket in the County Championship. The Hawks name will be dropped with immediate effect in favour of the new Royals name and an exciting new range of playing kit and merchandise will be launched at the start of the new season.

Rod Bransgrove, Chairman of Hampshire Cricket said “We consider The Rose Bowl to be the home of Twenty20 cricket in the UK, and this is a fabulous opportunity to extend the international reach of the game for us. This innovative and ground-breaking initiative will provide Hampshire with a fantastic new impetus to deliver success both on and off the field.”

Manoj Badale, Chairman, and co-founder of the Rajasthan Royals and Royals2020 said “This is a major innovation in World Sport, and it represents a great opportunity for the clubs, but also an opportunity for fans and sponsors to be part of something totally unique and exciting. The response that we have had from fans overseas over the past two seasons convinced us to expand our ambition.”

Sean Morris, Chief Executive Officer of Rajasthan Royals said “The opportunity to be part of a global brand is a unique one across all sports, and will enable us to take advantage of the changing landscape in cricket, not least in the areas of marketing and talent development.”

Shane Warne, Captain and Head Coach of Rajasthan Royals said “I am delighted to be part of this new innovation, and I am excited by what we can achieve, given what we have already achieved. Yet again, the Royals are leading the way. It is a bonus that clubs with which I have such deep affection are so involved.”
 

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