England cricket great Sir Alastair Cook joins the 2026 Pho3nix Sport with Purpose Charity Gala

One of England’s greatest ever cricketers, Sir Alastair Cook, will swap the crease for The Peninsula London this November as he joins an extraordinary line-up of sporting legends at the 2026 Pho3nix Sport with Purpose Charity Gala.

Taking place on Friday 20 November, the Gala will bring together some of the biggest names in sport alongside leaders from business, entertainment and philanthropy for a spectacular evening in support of the Pho3nix Foundation’s work to create healthier, happier futures for children through sport.

For more than a decade, Cook was one of the defining figures of English cricket. Renowned for his resilience, determination and ability to deliver on the biggest stage, he finished his international career as England’s leading Test run-scorer, amassing 12,472 runs across 161 Tests.

Cook made his Test debut against India in 2006 and marked the occasion in style, scoring a century in his very first match. It was the beginning of a remarkable international career that would span 12 years and include 33 Test centuries.

As England captain, Cook led his country in a record 59 Tests, overseeing memorable series victories at home and abroad. Among the highlights was England’s historic 2012–13 Test series victory in India, where Cook led from the front with three centuries.

His final Test at The Oval in 2018 provided a fitting farewell. Cook signed off from international cricket with a century against India, bringing the curtain down on one of the most decorated careers in English cricket.

Knighted for services to cricket in 2019, Sir Alastair remains one of the most recognisable and respected figures in British sport.

From sporting greatness to sporting purpose

Behind the records, centuries and unforgettable Ashes battles sits a story built on qualities that transcend cricket: perseverance, discipline, teamwork and a lifelong love of sport.

Those qualities are at the heart of the Pho3nix Foundation’s mission to help children and young people discover sport and the opportunities that can come with it.

By breaking down barriers to participation and creating opportunities for young people to get active, the Foundation aims to help children build confidence, resilience and healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

This November, Cook will join an incredible collection of sporting champions at The Peninsula London to celebrate what sport can make possible – and help create those same opportunities for the next generation.

A dazzling night of sporting royalty

The Pho3nix Sport with Purpose Charity Gala is the Pho3nix Foundation’s flagship annual fundraising event, and the 2026 guest list is shaping up to be one for the sporting history books.

Joining Sir Alastair Cook in London will be six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen, four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, Britain’s most successful female Olympian Dame Laura Kenny, two-time Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington OBE, Rugby World Cup-winning England captain Lawrence Dallaglio and Olympic triathlon champions Alistair and Jonny Brownlee.

Adding even more Olympic magic to the evening will be Britain’s celebrated Super Saturday trio – Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford – who famously won three Olympic gold medals for Great Britain within 44 unforgettable minutes at London 2012.

From the basketball courts of Chicago to the mountains of the Tour de France, the velodrome, the athletics track, the swimming pool, the rugby field, the triathlon course and, of course, the cricket pitch, the Gala will bring together champions from across the sporting world for one remarkable night.

Guests attending the Gala will enjoy an exclusive live auction featuring extraordinary sporting experiences and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, while supporters around the world will also have the opportunity to participate through an online auction.

Individuals, brands and organisations wishing to contribute auction items or experiences are invited to support the Pho3nix Foundation’s fundraising efforts and help create more opportunities for children and young people through sport.

Attend the 2026 Pho3nix Sport with Purpose Charity Gala

Table packages for the 2026 Pho3nix Sport with Purpose Charity Gala are now available. Guests can register their interest via the Gala enquiry form and receive updates from the Pho3nix Concierge team as further details are announced.

For Gala enquiries, table packages, expressions of interest or information about contributing to the auction, please visit the Pho3nix Sport with Purpose Charity Gala website.