The government has significantly scaled back a major funding promise for grassroots cricket, reducing the commitment from £35 million to just £1.5 million. Instead of the originally planned 22 indoor cricket domes, only two will be built, in Luton and Preston, under a revised plan to provide community facilities.
The previous government had pledged a nationwide network of domes aimed at broadening access to cricket, especially for children in state schools. The revised initiative, however, dismisses that original £35 million announcement as unrealistic, with officials describing it as unfunded and undeliverable.
The new £1.5 million investment will fund the construction of two state-of-the-art indoor cricket domes, which are expected to open next year. These domes are designed to provide year-round, all-weather opportunities for practice and match play at affordable prices. The facilities will primarily target children from diverse and underprivileged backgrounds who often do not get the chance to play cricket at school.
Although the current commitment is modest, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) views it as a crucial first step. The organisation hopes the pilot scheme in Luton and Preston will demonstrate the impact of such facilities and pave the way for further government investment. The ECB’s broader vision is to roll out at least 20 more domes across major cities, potentially reaching up to four million children by 2029.
The indoor dome project is central to the ECB’s long-term “Plan for Change,” which seeks to boost inclusivity and participation. Cricket leaders argue that beyond sporting benefits, the facilities can foster social cohesion by bringing together young people from different cultural and religious backgrounds.
The push for expansion will intensify ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026, with the final to be staged at Lord’s for the first time. The ECB intends to use the global spotlight to campaign for additional support, aiming to leave a lasting legacy that ensures cricket becomes the most accessible and inclusive team sport in the UK.
The announcement forms part of a wider National Youth Strategy to be unveiled later this year, which promises to invest in sport and youth development as tools for social transformation.
