Cricket Domes to Transform Year-Round Access in Luton and Lancashire

Image Credit, Patrick Case

Communities in Luton and Lancashire are set to benefit from state-of-the-art indoor cricket facilities, after the UK Government confirmed a £1.5 million investment aimed at breaking down barriers to sport and broadening participation ahead of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

The initiative, delivered in partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), will see two cutting-edge indoor domes built to provide much-needed space for cricket and other sports in areas where facilities are limited. The move is part of the Government’s Plan for Change, which promises to create new opportunities for young people to get active and engaged in sport.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who announced the funding during a visit to Leyland Cricket Club, said the facilities would serve as vital hubs for communities. “Cricket has a remarkable power to inspire and unite,” she said. “These domes will be places where cricket-lovers and newcomers alike can come together to play, make connections, and chase sporting dreams.”

The first dome, set to open in Luton in early 2026, will prioritise access for underrepresented groups such as state schools, while also offering space for other sports including hockey, tennis, and badminton. Organisers hope the venue will encourage more people from all backgrounds to stay active year-round.

In Lancashire, the Farington dome near Preston is scheduled to open next summer. It will serve as a focal point for women’s and girls’ cricket, providing a clear pathway from grassroots to the professional game, while also acting as a hub for disability cricket in the North-West.

With cricket already enjoying strong engagement among diverse communities—around a third of recreational players in England and Wales are of South Asian heritage—these facilities are expected to build on the sport’s growing reach. Participation among women and girls alone rose by more than 20 percent in 2024, and the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in England is anticipated to accelerate this trend.

ECB chair Richard Thompson welcomed the government’s support, calling the new domes “transformative” for both community and elite players. “As we’ve seen in places like Bradford, facilities like these bring people together and inspire the next generation,” he said. “They are a proof point of what’s possible when investment meets community need.”

England international Sophie Ecclestone also praised the development, noting how year-round access can change the sporting landscape. “Facilities like these can make a massive difference in local communities,” she said. “It will be brilliant to see them in action next year.”

The announcement ties into the Government’s forthcoming National Youth Strategy, expected this autumn, which promises to give every young person “somewhere to go, someone to talk to and a community where they belong.”

As the countdown to the Women’s T20 World Cup continues, the domes in Luton and Lancashire are being positioned as the start of a wider legacy plan—ensuring cricket is not just a summer sport, but a year-round opportunity for all.