The county’s new cricket base at AO Farington Stadium will host its inaugural senior fixtures this week as Lancashire play two Metro Bank One‑Day Cup matches at the ground described by the club as its "second home".
Fixture details and opening week
Both 50‑over matches are scheduled to start at 11am: Lancashire face Kent Spitfires on Tuesday and Notts Outlaws on Thursday. These are the third and fourth group games of Lancashire’s seven‑match One‑Day Cup campaign.
| Day | Opposition | Start time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Kent Spitfires | 11:00 |
| Thursday | Notts Outlaws | 11:00 |
Stadium, sponsorship and community use
The venue on Stanifield Lane took more than two years to build at a cost of around £20m. Electrical retailer AO, which previously supported the club’s talent pathway, has agreed a 10‑year partnership with the site.
AO Farington Stadium has approximately 700 fixed seats, with additional loose seating available. Spectators are invited to bring pop‑up chairs and picnic blankets; parking on site is limited.
- Second oval for community activity, operated by the Lancashire Cricket Foundation
- Target of providing 750 hours of cricket for all ages each year
- To act as a centre of excellence for the women’s game
Senior and women's fixtures planned
This week’s men’s games are the first two of four senior competitive matches scheduled at Farington this season. Lancashire Women are due to host Surrey and Durham there as part of their Metro Bank One‑Day Cup programme in September.
The club trialled the venue earlier in July with a test event that invited around 1,000 people to a girls’ match between Lancashire and Cheshire.
Context on the pitch
The One‑Day Cup campaign began for Lancashire with a defeat by Surrey at Sedbergh School, followed by a high‑scoring win at Leicestershire. At Leicester, Keaton Jennings made a notable 135 as Lancashire posted 383‑4, one of their highest totals in the format, and the side will be looking to harness that form as they make their Farington bow.
For supporters planning to attend this week’s fixtures, be aware of limited on‑site parking and the availability of loose seating; check the club’s official channels for any ground‑specific guidance or ticketing updates before travel.
As the stadium moves from construction and testing into regular competitive use, the club’s promise of community hours and a women’s centre of excellence underline the longer‑term aim: to make Farington a hub for cricket participation across Lancashire as well as a venue for professional fixtures.
