JSW Sports, known for its ownership of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, has entered into an exclusive commercial agreement with Cricket Hong Kong, China (CHKC) to oversee the Hong Kong Sixes tournament.
This agreement signifies JSW Sports’ inaugural foray into international sports intellectual property rights, timed just before the upcoming 22nd edition of the Sixes, set to take place from October 30 to November 1, 2026, at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground. Currently, the firm holds stakes in Delhi Capitals (IPL), Pretoria Capitals (South African cricket), Bengaluru FC (Indian football), and Haryana Steelers (Pro Kabaddi League).
This collaboration highlights a strategic evolution for JSW Sports as it expands beyond traditional franchise ownership. Divyanshu Singh, CEO of JSW Sports, detailed the rationale behind this initiative.
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 further emphasized the strategic value of the Sixes format for the company’s portfolio.
“[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 were shelved for seven years prior to their successful revival in 2024. The 2025 iteration attracted over 10,000 spectators across three days at the same venue. Anurag Bhatnagar, a CHKC board member, outlined the organization’s ambitious expansion strategy.
“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.
Distinguishing the Sixes Format from Franchise Cricket
Bhatnagar detailed the unique characteristics that set the Sixes format apart from conventional 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 tournament will be aired on Sony Sports Network.
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