Manchester enters a new era under Super Giants brand
The Manchester franchise in The Hundred has entered a bold new chapter, rebranding as the Manchester Super Giants and revealing a fresh elephant-themed logo ahead of the 2026 season. The change aligns the team with its IPL and SA20 counterparts — Lucknow Super Giants and Durban’s Super Giants — all owned by the RPSG Group. The rebrand, along with the latest player signings, was formally announced via the franchise’s official Instagram account.
This new direction comes after the RPSG Group acquired a 70% stake in the Manchester team, extending its global cricket footprint. The addition of Manchester to the Super Giants umbrella was accompanied by a top-tier recruitment drive, blending proven match-winners with fresh international talent.
Buttler leads strong core of retained and new signings
England white-ball star Jos Buttler has been retained by the men’s squad, alongside South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen and Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad. Liam Dawson, who previously featured for London Spirit, also joins the men’s lineup. On the women’s side, Sophie Ecclestone stays on, with major new additions in Australia’s Meg Lanning and India’s Smriti Mandhana.
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Confirming the roster to Sky Sports News, Manchester Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka said, “Jos was our first signing. Heinrich Klaasen, another world-class batter, match winner was our second. We went with Noor Ahmad, the Afghan spinner, and our fourth signing was Liam Dawson, who played for the London Spirit last year. For the women’s side, we went for a combination of experience and youth. Meg Lanning has been captain of Australia, has been part of seven World Cup campaigns and has a habit of winning. Smriti Mandhana from India is an unbelievable athlete and Sophie Ecclestone brings in the local flavour. She’s a great young bowler and a proven match-winner, so we are delighted with our signings.”
Buttler excited to kick off new chapter with familiar franchise
Buttler, who has played for Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20, expressed excitement at the continuity and ambition of the project.
“The summer will come around quickly. And I can’t wait to get started as the Manchester Super Giants,” he told Sky Sports News.
Reflecting on the evolution of the tournament and the team’s new direction, he added, “I’ve loved being a part of The Hundred. I think it’s such a fantastic tournament and it’s now taking on a new story in its history, with the investment and the Manchester Super Giants coming under that Super Giants umbrella.”
He also shared his enthusiasm for the team’s home base: “I was part of it in Durban, I’ve loved being part of that environment, and I love playing cricket at Old Trafford. It’s a great place to play.”
Goenka highlights vision behind Super Giants expansion
For Sanjiv Goenka, Manchester’s addition to the Super Giants family represents more than a name change — it’s a strategic expansion with cultural resonance.
“I’m very excited about this participation and the fact Manchester is part of the Super Giants family,” he told Sky Sports News. “Manchester is a great sporting city and frankly it’s a privilege to play a small role in that journey of sports in Manchester.”
He continued, “It’s delightful to have leaders, match-winners, unbelievable athletes like Jos with us and to integrate Manchester with the Super Giants family is a dream come true.”
High-profile coaching appointments round out overhaul
The 2026 season will also see new coaching figures at the helm. Former Australia men’s head coach Justin Langer takes over the men’s squad, while ex-Australia and England women’s coach Matthew Mott will guide the women’s side. Both will operate under the leadership of Tom Moody, who was appointed global director of cricket for the Super Giants setup in late 2025.
This sweeping transformation — from ownership and branding to recruitment and management — signals a serious push from Manchester Super Giants to capture their first Hundred title after years of near-misses. With marquee talent on both sides and global franchise alignment, expectations for 2026 are sky-high.
