UK Government Pledges £1.5m for Two Indoor Cricket Domes Amid Funding Uncertainty

The UK government has pledged £1.5 million to build two indoor cricket domes in Luton and Lancashire, aiming to make cricket more accessible year-round, especially for underrepresented groups including women, disabled players, South Asian communities, and state school children. This funding is a significant downscale from the previous Conservative government's £35 million promise to build 22 domes, which Labour officials have criticized as unfunded and unrealistic. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) welcomes the investment, viewing the domes as vital for fostering wider and more diverse participation ahead of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in England and Wales. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the government’s commitment to sport as a vehicle for community inspiration and opportunity, while ECB chair Richard Thompson highlighted the domes’ role in breaking down barriers and supporting both grassroots and elite cricket. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to leverage recent investments in English cricket, including the sale of minority stakes in Hundred franchises, some of which fund community programs. Despite the scaled-back funding, there is optimism that the two domes will set a precedent for future collaboration and investment in grassroots cricket infrastructure.