UK Government Unveils Plans for New Cricket Domes to Open Up the Game All Year Round

LONDON Aug 25: Two state-of-the-art cricket domes are set to be built in Luton and Lancashire as part of a £1.5 million government investment aimed at making the sport more inclusive and accessible all year round.

The facilities will focus on opening cricket to underrepresented groups, including women, disabled players, state school pupils, and South Asian communities.

Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy said the initiative reflects cricket’s “remarkable power to inspire and unite communities” and represents a lasting legacy for the women’s T20 World Cup, which England will host next year.

The dome in Luton is due to open in early 2026, giving local state school children access not only to cricket but potentially other sports such as hockey and tennis. The Farington dome, launching later that summer, will provide Lancashire’s women’s side with a permanent base, while also serving as a hub for girls’ and disability cricket.

England spinner Sophie Ecclestone welcomed the project, saying: “Facilities like these can make a massive difference in local communities and open cricket up to so many more people.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) highlighted figures showing that a third of recreational players come from South Asian backgrounds and that women’s participation has risen by 20% over the past year. ECB chair Richard Thompson described the domes as “transformative,” stressing their role in breaking down barriers and helping cricket become “the most inclusive team sport.”

Nandy added: “These domes will be places where cricket-lovers and newcomers alike can come together to play, get active, and chase their sporting dreams.”