Cricket-loving communities in Luton and Lancashire will soon gain year-round access to the sport, following the UK Government’s announcement of £1.5 million in funding for two new indoor cricket domes.
The investment, delivered in partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), aims to break down barriers to participation and provide high-quality facilities in underserved areas.
New all-weather cricket domes to boost access and inclusion
The new indoor cricket facilities are part of the Government’s “Plan for Change” and are designed to support the sport’s growing and diverse player base. A third of recreational cricket players in England and Wales are of South Asian descent, and participation among women and girls rose by over 20% in 2024.
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said:
“Cricket has a remarkable power to inspire and unite communities all over the world and today we are making sure that more people of all backgrounds have the chance to experience the game.”
She added that the domes would become places where “cricket-lovers and newcomers alike can come together to play, get active, make real-life connections and chase sporting dreams.”
Luton and Lancashire domes to serve local communities
The Luton cricket dome, scheduled to open in early 2026, will cater especially to state schools and underrepresented groups. It may also host other sports like hockey, tennis, and badminton to maximize community access.
In Lancashire, the Farington dome near Preston is set to become a regional hub for women and girls’ cricket and a central facility for disability cricket in the North-West. This dome is expected to open in summer 2026 and will support a pathway from grassroots participation to professional-level cricket with Lancashire’s women’s team.
Legacy-building ahead of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
The announcement comes ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026, to be hosted in England. The Government and ECB are working together to ensure the event leaves a lasting grassroots legacy.
The cricket domes aim to bridge the gap between grassroots and elite levels, enabling young players to follow in the footsteps of Lauren Bell, Ben Stokes, and others.
Part of wider national youth investment
This investment is a pillar of the forthcoming National Youth Strategy, launching in autumn 2025. The initiative will focus on ensuring every child—regardless of background or location—has access to sports and development opportunities.
Support from ECB and England players
ECB Chair Richard Thompson praised the initiative:
“These state-of-the-art all-weather cricket domes will be transformative for the communities they serve… opening up cricket year-round and providing top-class facilities for elite players too.”
Thompson emphasized the impact of similar facilities in Bradford and noted the importance of expanding access nationwide to build on the World Cup’s momentum.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone, also present at the announcement event, added:
“Facilities like these can make a massive difference in local communities… it will be brilliant to see them in action next year.”
The announcement was made during Lisa Nandy’s visit to Leyland Cricket Club, where she met England players Phil Salt and Sophie Ecclestone and joined children participating in the ECB’s Dynamos programme.
