JSW Sports, the investment firm behind Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, has signed an exclusive commercial partnership with Cricket Hong Kong, China (CHKC) to manage the Hong Kong Sixes tournament.
The deal marks JSW Sports’ first venture into international sporting intellectual property ownership and comes ahead of the 22nd edition of the Sixes, scheduled for October 30 to November 1, 2026, at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground. JSW Sports currently owns Delhi Capitals in the IPL, Pretoria Capitals in South African cricket, Bengaluru FC in Indian football and Haryana Steelers in the Pro Kabaddi League.
The partnership represents a significant shift in JSW Sports’ strategy as the company looks beyond franchise ownership. Divyanshu Singh, Chief Executive Officer of JSW Sports, explained the company’s thinking behind the move.
Singh said, “at a juncture where we feel it’s a good time to transition from franchise ownership to IP [intellectual property] ownership and IP partnerships.”
Singh outlined the appeal of the Sixes format for JSW Sports.
“[The Sixes] is a very exciting property, which has been growing. Also, cricket in international formats attracts fandom that is unparalleled compared to franchise cricket. This year, we want to create much more fandom and commercial growth,” Singh was quoted as saying by South China Morning Post.
“We understand the value of stardom, but also I think we’ll ensure there is strong cricket … and great fans,” he added.
The Hong Kong Sixes had been mothballed for seven years before its triumphant return in 2024. The 2025 edition drew more than 10,000 fans over three days at the same venue. CHKC board member Anurag Bhatnagar articulated the organisation’s vision for expansion.
“Our vision is to build this into a much bigger format, and to go global with it. To do that, we need strategic partners, people who have the capacity, and the expertise and finance, to help us,” said Bhatnagar.
“The idea is to scale it up with one additional venue every year for the next five years, and at the end of it we should have a global series, comprising five to six events, hosted in different regions of the world,” Bhatnagar added.
How the Sixes format differs from franchise cricket
Bhatnagar highlighted what distinguishes the Sixes format from other cricket competitions.
“The majority of those leagues are not sustainable, commercially or otherwise. Sixes is a fast-paced, short-duration event, and I think it’s perfectly positioned for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, with the shortening attention spans. It’s countries playing each other. You have India against Pakistan, and Australia vs England, all the great rivalries, happening in one day. That doesn’t happen anywhere else and it sets us apart from the franchise leagues,” he concluded.
The 2026 edition will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network.
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