The UK Government is investing £1.5 million to construct two indoor cricket domes in Luton and Lancashire, enhancing year-round sports access for underrepresented groups and supporting women’s, girls’, and disability cricket ahead of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Year-Round Sports Access
The new indoor cricket domes in Luton and Lancashire will provide year-round access to cricket and other sports such as hockey, tennis, and badminton.
This initiative aims to overcome seasonal limitations that often restrict sports participation in the UK. By offering a controlled environment, these facilities ensure continuous training opportunities for athletes at all levels.
In Luton, the focus is on increasing access for underrepresented groups, including state schools. This approach promotes inclusivity by providing quality facilities to those who might otherwise face barriers to participation.
Meanwhile, the Lancashire dome will serve as a regional hub for women’s and girls’ cricket development and disability cricket.
Community Benefits
- Year-round access to multiple sports
- Enhanced inclusivity for underrepresented groups
- Support for women’s and girls’ cricket development
- Promotion of disability cricket in Lancashire
- Alignment with government strategies for youth engagement
A Legacy from the Women’s T20 World Cup
This project aligns with the UK Government’s Plan for Change and upcoming National Youth Strategy aimed at boosting youth engagement in sport.
The investment also seeks to secure a lasting legacy from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup that England will host in 2026. By creating state-of-the-art facilities, the initiative supports pathways from grassroots to professional levels.
Ministerial Quote
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, 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.
These domes will be places where cricket-lovers and newcomers alike can come together to play, get active, make real-life connections and chase sporting dreams.”
Industry Quotes
ECB chair Richard Thompson said:
“These state-of-the-art all-weather cricket domes will be transformative for the communities they serve, opening up cricket to more people year-round and providing top-class facilities for elite players too. They are an important part of our plans to break down barriers and make cricket the most inclusive team sport.
We are pleased to secure Government support for these incredible community facilities, which we hope will provide a vital proof point of what can be achieved, and look forward to future collaboration. As we have seen in Bradford, centres like these can have a hugely positive impact—bringing people together, opening up opportunities, and inspiring the next generation.
As we look ahead to hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026, building on that success by rolling out more domes in communities across England and Wales will be key to creating a genuine and lasting legacy from the tournament.”
England and Lancashire spinner Sophie Ecclestone said:
“It’s fantastic that more people will get the chance to play cricket thanks to these brilliant domes.
Facilities like these can make a massive difference in local communities and open cricket up to so many more people, and it will be brilliant to see them in action next year.”
The Broader Effect on Communities
The introduction of these domes is expected to have significant positive effects on local communities by improving physical health through increased sports participation.
For families and young people in Luton and Lancashire, this means more opportunities regardless of weather conditions.
Additionally, businesses related to sports equipment, coaching services, and local hospitality may benefit economically from increased activity at these venues.
Additional Reading
Parting Shot
The construction of indoor cricket domes in Luton and Lancashire represents a significant step towards enhancing community sports infrastructure across England.
By focusing on inclusivity and accessibility while aligning with major sporting events like the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, this initiative promises long-term benefits both socially and economically.
Sources: UK Government, ECB, Department for Culture, Media and Sport and The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
