English Cricket Secures £45 Million Grassroots Boost as The Hundred Investment Filters Down

English cricket is set to benefit from a £45 million boost to grassroots facilities following investment linked to The Hundred competition, with the England and Wales Cricket Board confirming that funds will be directed toward expanding access and improving infrastructure across communities.

The funding marks one of the largest injections into community level cricket in recent years. According to the ECB, the money will prioritise projects that support women and girls, disabled participants, lower income communities and ethnically diverse groups. The move forms part of a wider strategy aimed at making cricket more inclusive and broadening participation across England and Wales.

The board said the new funding stream has been made possible by investment into The Hundred, the short format competition launched to attract new audiences and commercial backing. Proceeds from that investment are now being channelled into local facilities, including upgrades to pitches, changing rooms and training spaces.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould described the development as a significant opportunity for the sport. With participation levels rising, particularly among girls and young players, he said improved facilities are essential to meeting demand and ensuring long term growth. The board aims to create environments that are accessible and welcoming to communities that have historically faced barriers to involvement.

The £45 million injection is expected to help unlock even greater investment over the next decade. The ECB estimates that the programme could leverage projects worth up to £150 million as local authorities and partners contribute additional funding. Around 300 projects are anticipated to be delivered during 2026 alone.

Alongside the headline funding, the ECB confirmed it is doubling smaller grants available to individual clubs, raising the allocation to £5 million this year. These grants are designed to help clubs upgrade basic infrastructure and expand capacity, with a particular emphasis on developing women’s and girls’ cricket.

Interest free loans available to clubs are also being increased, rising from £50,000 to £75,000. The change is intended to give local organisations greater flexibility to invest in facilities and respond to growing demand.

The investment aligns with the ECB’s ambition to establish at least 6,000 girls’ teams by 2028, reflecting the rapid expansion of the women’s game at both professional and recreational levels. Participation figures have climbed steadily in recent seasons, driven in part by increased visibility of elite women’s competitions and school programmes.

Grassroots sport leaders have long argued that modern facilities are crucial for sustaining growth, especially in urban areas where access to safe and well maintained grounds can be limited. By directing a significant share of The Hundred’s financial returns toward community infrastructure, the ECB is aiming to strengthen the foundations of the sport while ensuring that commercial success translates into broader social impact.