Let’s be honest. Not everyone who walks through the gates of a cricket hospitality suite knows what a googly is. And that’s absolutely fine.

Cricket hospitality has long been one of Britain’s best-kept secrets. It’s a day out that combines stunning venues, incredible food and drink, great company, and a summer atmosphere that’s hard to beat. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan tracking every over, or someone who’s never watched a full match in your life, a day in cricket hospitality has a way of winning people over.

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re new to the world of cricket hospitality, and why this summer could be the perfect time to experience it.

What Is Cricket Hospitality, Exactly?

Cricket hospitality takes the traditional matchday experience and elevates it entirely. Instead of finding your seat in the stands with a paper cup of something lukewarm, you’re welcomed into a premium private facility with fine dining, open bars, dedicated service, and the best views in the ground.

Think of it less like watching sport, and more like attending a very elegant garden party that just happens to have a cricket match as its backdrop.

At its best, cricket hospitality gives you the perfect blend of occasion, atmosphere, and comfort. You dip in and out of the action as you please. You spend time catching up with friends or colleagues over a long lunch. You soak in the atmosphere of some of England’s most iconic venues. And if a wicket falls or a six flies into the crowd? All the better.

The Two Experiences: ICON and VIBE

Not all hospitality is the same, and that’s a good thing, because different days call for different vibes (literally).

ICON – The Premium Experience

ICON is our flagship hospitality offering, available at three of England’s most celebrated cricket grounds: Lord’s, The Kia Oval, and Old Trafford.

This is hospitality at its finest. Expect beautifully designed private facilities, exceptional multi-course dining, premium drinks packages, and a level of service that makes the whole day feel effortless. ICON is perfect for those who want to mark a special occasion. A corporate event, a landmark birthday, an anniversary, or simply a day that deserves to be remembered.

ICON is available at:

• 🏏 Lord’s – The home of cricket. There is no more iconic backdrop in the sport.
• 🏏 The Kia Oval – South London’s stunning ground with a rich Test match history.
• 🏏 Emirates Old Trafford – Manchester’s home of cricket, beloved by the North of England.

VIBE – The Social Experience

VIBE at The Kia Oval is cricket hospitality with the dial turned up on energy and atmosphere. It’s a more social, buzzing environment, ideal for groups of friends, team celebrations, or anyone who wants a lively day out with great food, drinks, and entertainment woven into the mix.

If ICON is the elegant summer dinner party, VIBE is the rooftop celebration. Both are brilliant. It just depends on what kind of day you’re after.

What England Fixtures Are Available This Summer?

England have a packed summer of international cricket ahead, with four major Test series giving you plenty of opportunities to experience hospitality at its best. Each series brings its own flavour. Different opposition, different venues, different atmospheres.

🏏 England vs New Zealand

The summer gets underway with New Zealand touring England. It’s always a competitive and thoroughly enjoyable series. New Zealand are one of cricket’s most popular touring sides, and their games tend to draw a fantastic crowd atmosphere.

View England vs New Zealand Hospitality Packages →

🏏 England vs India

And then there’s this. England vs India is the crown jewel of the international cricket calendar. It’s the biggest series of the summer by some distance, selling fast, generating enormous excitement, and creating the kind of days that people talk about for years. If there’s one series to experience in hospitality, many would argue this is it.

View England vs India Hospitality Packages →

🏏 England vs Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka bring flair, passion, and some of the most exciting cricket you’ll watch. Their fans are enormously enthusiastic, which adds to the spectacle, and the hospitality experience, no end.

View England vs Sri Lanka Hospitality Packages →

🏏 England vs Pakistan

England vs Pakistan is one of cricket’s great rivalries. Expect tight matches, dramatic moments, and an atmosphere inside the grounds that is electric. This is the kind of series that converts newcomers into cricket fans for life.

View England vs Pakistan Hospitality Packages →

Why You Don’t Need to Know Cricket to Have the Best Day

This is perhaps the biggest misconception about cricket hospitality, that it’s only for people who know the game inside out.

Here’s the truth: some of the people who enjoy it most are those who’ve never watched a full over of cricket before. Here’s why:

The cricket is the backdrop, not the homework. You’re not sitting a test (excuse the pun). The match unfolds at a natural, unhurried pace. You can watch as much or as little as you like. Between balls, overs, and drinks breaks, there’s plenty of time to chat, eat, and simply enjoy being somewhere special.

The venues are extraordinary. Lord’s is the home of cricket. It’s a ground that even non-sports fans recognise and feel moved by. Emirates Old Trafford carries decades of sporting history. The Kia Oval has hosted some of England’s most celebrated victories. Just being in these spaces, particularly from a premium vantage point, is an experience in itself.

The social element is everything. Cricket hospitality is built for good conversation. Long lunches, afternoon drinks, a leisurely pace. It’s the ideal format for entertaining clients, celebrating with friends, or simply sharing something memorable with people you care about.

The atmosphere is genuinely special. Test match cricket creates a slow-building, absorbing atmosphere that’s very different to the sprint of a football match. There’s drama, tension, and plenty of shared moments, even if you’ve only vaguely followed what’s happening on the pitch.

Who Is Cricket Hospitality For?

In short: anyone. But here are some of the groups who tend to get the most out of a day in cricket hospitality:

• Corporate groups looking for a premium client entertainment day that’s a step above a restaurant or conference room
• Groups of friends wanting a special, shared occasion. A birthday, reunion, or just a brilliant summer day out
• Couples looking for something different and memorable
• Sports fans who want to experience a marquee England series from the very best seat in the house
• First-timers who’ve always been curious about cricket hospitality but weren’t sure it was for them

If any of these sound like you, it is for you.

Tips for First-Timers

A few things worth knowing before your first cricket hospitality day:

Dress smart-casual. Most premium hospitality facilities have a dress code. Think along the lines of what you’d wear to a good restaurant, smart but comfortable. Check your specific package details for guidance.

Arrive with time to settle in. The experience starts from the moment you arrive. Don’t rush in at the last minute. Come early, get a drink, get your bearings, and enjoy the atmosphere building.

Don’t worry about not understanding cricket. Ask questions freely. Fellow guests are usually happy to explain what’s happening, and there’s usually something on screens to help. Or just enjoy the scenery and leave the scorekeeping to others.

Factor in the full day. Cricket hospitality isn’t a two-hour dash. It’s a full day. Clear your diary, leave the laptop at home, and commit to enjoying it properly.

Book early, especially for India. England’s summer fixtures, particularly the India series, sell out quickly. If you’re eyeing a particular date or venue, the sooner you secure it, the better.

Ready to Book?

Whether you’re drawn to the prestige of ICON at Lord’s, the energy of VIBE at The Kia Oval, or the atmosphere of Old Trafford under the Northern skies, there’s a cricket hospitality package this summer that’s made for you.

Browse our full range of England summer hospitality packages below, or get in touch with our team. We’re happy to help you find the right experience for your group, budget, and occasion.

👉 View All England Summer Hospitality Packages →

Have questions about what’s included, group sizes, or which fixture to choose? Our hospitality team is always happy to help, just get in touch.