On August 14 (Wednesday), the Irish government approved the development of a new international cricket facility in Dublin. A National Cricket Stadium and High-Performance Centre project will proceed to a pre-tender phase soon. The planning and design will be completed in mid-2025, with the tender phase to follow suit.
"The Centre, which will be located in the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown, will deliver a permanent home for cricket in Dublin that meets International Cricket Council requirements for hosting major cricket events and competitions," Cricket Ireland said in a media release.
"It is anticipated that the proposed facilities would include both indoor and outdoor practice and training areas and an arena for holding major games with associated media and spectator facilities. This would enable Ireland to host major international cricket events at this new state-of-the-art facility. It also will be a key enabler for Cricket Ireland’s objectives to grow the game and channel investment into the grassroots of the sport."
The overall project is expected to be delivered in a phase-by-phase basis. Phase 1 which will include delivery of a main cricket oval, permanent seating for 4,000 spectators, space to accommodate significant temporary seating, a high performance centre and ancillary facilities such as a state-of-the-art players/officials pavilion is expected to be completed by 2028.
However, Cricket Ireland's larger goal is to have the facility up and running in full tilt well before the T20 World Cup 2030, which they will co-host along with England and Scotland.
"For me, it is probably up there in terms of significance with the day that we became a Full Member of the ICC - it is a tribute to the enormous growth that the sport has enjoyed over the last 10 to 15 years at all levels of the game. Not just nationally, but provincially and at club level. These facilities will help drive the sport forward," Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom said.
“Our new permanent ground will also ensure that we have a platform suitable of hosting the world’s top teams on an annual basis and also when we co-host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with England and Scotland in 2030."
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