ECB County Grants Fund 2026: How Cricket Clubs Can Plan Ground and Facility Improvements

If your cricket club has been putting off ground improvements because of the cost, there's a funding route worth knowing about. The England and Wales Cricket Board's County Grants Fund offers affiliated clubs between £1,000 and £15,000 per application, and up to £50,000 for larger changing facility projects, to invest in better playing surfaces and club facilities. With more clubs than ever asking us about grant-funded ground work, it's a good moment to break down what the fund covers and how to make the most of it.

What is the County Grants Fund?

The fund is part of the ECB's Inspiring Generations 2025–2028 strategy, aimed at making cricket the most inclusive team sport in the country. It's open to all ECB-affiliated clubs in England and Wales, though priority goes to clubs with an established women's or girls' section, those offering disability cricket, or clubs taking part in programmes like Girls' Only Dynamos Cricket or Disability Premier League Registered Hosts.

Grants are available for three broad categories of project:

• Creating Welcoming Environments — social space, female and disabled toilet facilities, catering, arrival and access improvements, and digitising club infrastructure.
• Enhanced Playing Facilities — ECB Approved Non-Turf Match Pitches (minimum 30m) and Non-Turf Practice Facilities (minimum 26m).
• Enhanced Changing Facilities — refurbishments and extensions, individual shower spaces, improved toilet provision, and better vanity and grooming areas.

Where Irrigation and Groundcare Fit In

Irrigation isn't listed as its own funding line in the guidance notes, but for clubs improving playing facilities, it's worth considering alongside the wider project. Any non-turf pitch or practice facility installation is part of a wider groundworks project, so drainage, surface preparation and the surrounding areas all need to be considered carefully. Clubs upgrading their square, outfield or surrounding areas alongside a grant-funded project may also want to review their irrigation at the same time, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

For clubs that have relied on standpipes, hosepipes, or manual watering, a proper irrigation system, whether that's a pop-up sprinkler setup for the square, outfield irrigation, or simply a more reliable water supply to the ground — pays for itself in reduced labour and a more consistent playing surface. It also protects the rest of the investment: a beautifully refurbished non-turf pitch surrounded by a parched, uneven outfield undersells the whole facility.

Because grant funding has a ceiling, many clubs use it to cover the core eligible works (the pitch, the changing rooms, the welcoming spaces) and fund complementary groundcare improvements, irrigation included, from their own budget, sponsorship, or a separate Sport England grant. Planning irrigation into the project from the outset, rather than bolting it on later, tends to be both cheaper and less disruptive.

How to Apply

Before applying, clubs should download and read the 2026 County Grants Fund Guidance Notes, as eligibility criteria have been revised for this year. Applications are submitted through the ECB's IMS portal, where clubs will also need to register if they haven't already.

A few tips for a stronger application:

1. Get quotes early. Grant panels want realistic costings, and irrigation or groundworks quotes can take time to arrange.
2. Think about the whole project, not just the funded element. If you're installing a non-turf pitch, factor in drainage and irrigation needs from day one.
3. Check the priority criteria. Clubs actively growing women's, girls', or disability cricket are more likely to be successful.
4. Budget for the gap. If your total project cost exceeds the grant maximum, have a plan for the shortfall before you apply.

Get Your Ground Project Right From The Start

Whether you're planning a new non-turf practice facility, refurbishing your changing rooms, or simply want your outfield to hold up better through a dry summer, getting the groundworks and irrigation right is what makes a grant-funded project last. If your club is putting together an application and wants advice on irrigation systems, drainage, or general ground improvements, we're happy to talk through what's realistic for your budget and timeline. Get in touch, and we can help you plan the wider project from the start.