S. cannabis firm Tilray for £33 million, according to reports. This sale has reportedly led to immediate consequences including contract terminations and operational closures.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which operates Lord's Cricket Ground, terminated BrewDog's contract as official beer supplier after the acquisition was announced. The MCC cited the need for certainty ahead of the 2026 cricket season as a key factor in this decision, though the exact reasons for termination remain unspecified. This development followed earlier disruptions in BrewDog's operations, with reports indicating that BrewDog closed its bars for a day to address issues related to the ownership change.
BrewDog's sale to Tilray has reportedly led to more permanent closures and layoffs. The £33 million sale price represents a dramatic reduction from BrewDog's previous £2 billion valuation, highlighting the financial challenges facing the once-high-flying brewery. With BrewDog's contract at Lord's now terminated, the MCC has initiated a competitive tender process to select a new official beer supplier.
The club has declined to comment on the specifics of this tender process, leaving the timeline for selection and the financial terms of any new contract uncertain. However, the MCC has assured that no service disruption is expected during the transition to a new supplier. Among the contenders for the prestigious Lord's contract is Hawkstone, a brewery co-owned by television personality Jeremy Clarkson.
According to reports, Hawkstone is among those seeking to replace BrewDog at the historic cricket ground. The brewery has been described as the fastest-growing UK brewery, though how this growth and Clarkson's ownership might influence the MCC's decision remains unclear. Hawkstone reportedly faces significant competition from industry heavyweights including Heineken and Carlsberg-Britvic, who are also vying for the Lord's partnership.
The broader impact of BrewDog's sale to Tilray extends beyond the lost cricket ground contract. Reports confirm that the acquisition has led to closures and layoffs across BrewDog's UK operations. While specific details about the extent of these business impacts are not fully detailed, the connection between the sale and operational restructuring is established.
The company's dramatic devaluation from £2 billion to a £33 million sale price underscores the financial pressures that precipitated these changes. As the MCC evaluates potential new suppliers for Lord's, the brewing industry watches closely to see which company will secure the prestigious partnership. The competitive tender process represents a significant opportunity for the selected brewery to gain visibility at one of cricket's most iconic venues.
Meanwhile, BrewDog continues to navigate its new ownership structure under Tilray, with the full implications for its remaining UK operations still unfolding. The MCC's assurance of uninterrupted service during the transition suggests careful planning is underway to minimize disruption for cricket fans attending matches at Lord's. The story of BrewDog's acquisition and its consequences illustrates how corporate ownership changes can ripple through multiple aspects of a business, from high-profile sponsorship deals to day-to-day operations.
As one chapter closes with the termination of the Lord's contract, another begins with the search for a replacement supplier that can meet the MCC's requirements for certainty and continuity. The outcome of this tender process will not only determine who supplies beer at Lord's but may also signal shifting dynamics in the UK brewing industry following BrewDog's dramatic restructuring.