Key first step for new National Cricket Stadium development approved by Ministers Martin and Byrne

• Planning and design phase to commence now and to finish by Q2 2025
• Project aim is to deliver a new permanent home for Irish cricket at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown
• Facility to include state-of-the-art High Performance Centre
• New cricket oval to host Men’s T20 World Cup matches in 2030
• LA Games 2028 to include cricket as an Olympic sport

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, today announced approval for the National Cricket Stadium and High Performance Centre project to proceed to pre-tender phase. This will see planning and design completed by mid-2025 with the tender phase to follow.

The Centre, which will be located in the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown, will deliver a permanent home for cricket in Ireland that meets International Cricket Council requirements for hosting major cricket events and competitions.

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.

It is intended that the overall project will be delivered on a phased basis, with Phase 1 scheduled to be completed in 2028. This first phase includes the delivery of a main cricket oval, seating for 4000 spectators, a high performance centre and some ancillary facilities.

Minister Martin said:

“While cricket is a sport with really deep roots in Ireland, it’s also a sport that reflects the diversity and plurality of today’s society. It is really pleasing to see how the sport has grown, at all levels, in Ireland over recent years, particularly the increase in female participation numbers and among our growing community from South Asia. A National Stadium and High Performance Centre will provide Cricket Ireland with the facilities required to further grow participation numbers.”

“This new Centre will also address the need to provide playing, training and practice facilities to enable Ireland’s elite teams to compete at the highest international levels. As we enjoy the success of Team Ireland athletes at the Olympics in Paris, we look forward to the return of cricket as an Olympic sport in Los Angeles in 2028. I have no doubt that this new facility will deliver a transformational impact on Irish cricket and, as a result, we will be cheering on Irish teams at Olympic Games in the not too distant future.”

In addition, Minister Byrne said:

“Continued Government investment is essential to increasing participation levels in all sports, across all sectors of society. We understand that in order to achieve our participation targets, we must provide world-class sporting facilities for our athletes. The development of international standard facilities is also necessary to enable Ireland to act as a host nation for major international sports events and competitions.”

“As we look forward to Ireland co-hosting the 2030 Men’s Cricket T20 World Cup with the UK, the development of a National Cricket Stadium and High Performance Centre is timely. It will be really exciting to see some of those matches taking place in the new oval at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown. It will further open up the Campus to the wider country and build awareness of what a unique asset Ireland has in this 550 acre site.”

“The National Sports Campus is already an invaluable part of the sporting infrastructure of the country and this development, along with the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre, will further enhance what are already world class sporting and support facilities.”

Speaking on behalf of Sport Ireland, CEO Dr. Úna May said:

“We're very happy at this news about Ministerial approval for Sport Ireland to progress the project design and planning in respect of a National Cricket Stadium and training facility at the Sport Ireland Campus.

“This state-of-the-art venue will be a game-changer for cricket in Ireland, providing a high-performance training facility for our athletes to hone and showcase their talents and for fans to experience the thrill of the game up close.  

“This news marks a significant milestone in the Government’s commitment to elevating Irish cricket to new heights. We’re looking forward to seeing the incredible matches and memorable moments that will take place here.”