Stunning £500m indoor cricket stadium plans explored and could radically reshape England Test game
The ECB is looking to build a state-of-the-art indoor cricket stadium. It would be the first venue of its kind in the UK and the biggest infrastructure project in English cricket history. The ECB are considering building a £500million indoor cricket stadium Designs for Macquarie Point have been analysed for the proposed UK venue The plans are part of a bid to host games all-year-round and regardless of the weather. Meanwhile, the planned indoor arena is estimated to cost £500million. Manchester is a possible location for the stadium as part of the proposed regeneration of Old Trafford. According to The Times, the ECB have been looking at designs of Macquarie Point as inspiration for their plans. The 23,000-capacity stadium is being built in Hobart, Australia with plans for it to open in 2029. Designs for the venue include a naturally ventilated roof to help grass grow and extend the cricket season. Architects have also analysed batting trajectories so that the roof will not be hit. The plans also allow for a stage to host concerts as well as a hospitality area and seating closer to the field than traditional cricket grounds. However, the site is currently expected to become the home of Tasmania Football Club. The team are set to launch as a new AFL franchise once the arena is completed in four years time. Macquarie Point is scheduled to open in 2029 The indoor arena will host AFL matches with a view to adding cricket, football and rugby events There are hopes that Macquarie Point can become a multi-sport venue once it is opened. Amongst those other sports to feature in the future are football, rugby and cricket. As for the ECB’s plans, the recent sales of shares in The Hundred are believed to have made the project affordable. A reported £525million has been raised by six teams auctioning off shares in the franchise. Prior to the move, the ECB’s first-class counties had previously been £200million in debt. The fifth edition of The Hundred is set to take place later this year. Both the men’s and women’s competitions will run from August 5 to 31. The Manchester Originals are already based in Manchester but could become possible tenants at the proposed indoor stadium. They currently play at the 19,000-capacity Old Trafford, which is also home to Lancashire.
The ECB is looking to build a state-of-the-art indoor cricket stadium.
It would be the first venue of its kind in the UK and the biggest infrastructure project in English cricket history.
The plans are part of a bid to host games all-year-round and regardless of the weather.
Meanwhile, the planned indoor arena is estimated to cost £500million.
Manchester is a possible location for the stadium as part of the proposed regeneration of Old Trafford.
According to The Times, the ECB have been looking at designs of Macquarie Point as inspiration for their plans.
The 23,000-capacity stadium is being built in Hobart, Australia with plans for it to open in 2029.
Designs for the venue include a naturally ventilated roof to help grass grow and extend the cricket season.
Architects have also analysed batting trajectories so that the roof will not be hit.
The plans also allow for a stage to host concerts as well as a hospitality area and seating closer to the field than traditional cricket grounds.
However, the site is currently expected to become the home of Tasmania Football Club.
The team are set to launch as a new AFL franchise once the arena is completed in four years time.
There are hopes that Macquarie Point can become a multi-sport venue once it is opened.
Amongst those other sports to feature in the future are football, rugby and cricket.
As for the ECB’s plans, the recent sales of shares in The Hundred are believed to have made the project affordable.
A reported £525million has been raised by six teams auctioning off shares in the franchise.
Prior to the move, the ECB’s first-class counties had previously been £200million in debt.
The fifth edition of The Hundred is set to take place later this year.
Both the men’s and women’s competitions will run from August 5 to 31.
The Manchester Originals are already based in Manchester but could become possible tenants at the proposed indoor stadium.
They currently play at the 19,000-capacity Old Trafford, which is also home to Lancashire.
