Around £45m of money from investment into The Hundred teams will fund new and improved grassroots facilities as part of a major cash injection into recreational cricket.
It is hoped that additional funding and support from other partners including Government, developers and other investors in communities will mean that projects worth a combined £150m can go ahead over the next 10 years.
The new fund, which will support larger strategic projects, is part of a significant broader injection into grassroots cricket facilities.
Richard Gould, ECB chief executive officer, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for grassroots cricket thanks to the investment we’ve received into The Hundred.
“With more children playing, the rapid growth of women’s and girls’ cricket, and our desire to become the most inclusive team sport, new and improved facilities are vital to open up access to cricket for communities across England and Wales.”
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Nasser Hussain and Mel Jones take a look at the changes coming to the Hundred in 2026, including the new player auction.
Leshia Hawkins, ECB managing director, recreational game, said: “Over the past year we’ve worked closely and collaboratively with the whole of the recreational game to agree how the investment from The Hundred should best be used to support and grow our sport.
“Every Recreational County Board will be able to apply for support for projects through this Fund, meaning we can enable projects across the length and breadth of England and Wales which will have the biggest impact for local communities.
“The ECB already invests millions of pounds every year into new and upgraded facilities, and that work can now be turbocharged. We also know from existing projects how communities can realise the biggest benefits when multiple partners come on board, so I’m looking forward to seeing the difference we can make by working together.”
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Highlights of Oval Invincibles’ 26-run win over Trent Rockets in the men’s Hundred final as Sam Billings’ side completed a historic threepeat.
How will grassroots teams access the funds?
The £45m strategic facilities Fund is being established using the recreational game’s 10 per cent share of proceeds from investment into The Hundred teams.
Boards will be able to bid for money from the new Fund, which is expected to run for at least 10 years. Applications will open in April.
Recreational County Boards and local stakeholders will be encouraged to work in partnership to attract other funding and support to boost the value of projects even further. It is hoped that this will mean that projects generate at least £3 of economic value for every £1 invested.
The Fund will be reviewed after two years to ensure it is having the fullest impact. It will operate in addition to existing facilities funds.
In addition to the £45m, a further £6m from the recreational game’s share of investment into The Hundred will be used over the next three years to support the Recreational County Board network to support the delivery of their own strategic plans.
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Highlights of Northern Superchargers’ win over Southern Brave in the women’s Hundred final at Lord’s.,
Increased support for women’s and girls’ cricket
Investment through the County Grants Fund has been doubled for 2026 to £5m. The fund is now focussed on Women’s and Girls’ cricket, developing teams and clubs.
It is intended this level of funding will continue for at least the next three years to support the drive towards having at least 6,000 girls’ teams by 2028.
Around 300 projects are expected to be delivered in 2026 as a result of the funding.
The amount available to grassroots clubs through interest-free loans is being increased from £50,000 to £75,000.
The scheme provides finance to clubs for capital projects to help them build and ensure a sustainable future, supporting projects such as building improvements; equipment such as machinery, covers or nets; or grounds work and non-turf practice facilities.
In addition, the ECB is also investing £1m a year on recreational cricket grants to tackle the impact of climate change, and £2m on Grass Pitch Improvement projects, supported by Sport England.
