London’s historic home of cricket Lord’s has signed a major new “multi-year” sponsorship deal with Barclays.
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), owner of the 211 year old ground in St John’s Wood often known simply as “HQ”, said its famous distinctive media centre will be renamed the Barclays Media Centre. The bank will also make a major donation to the MCC Foundation, its official charity.
The Media Centre, which opened in 1999, was originally sponsored by NatWest, with Investec taking overt in 2007 and JP Morgan in 2011.
C.S Venkatakrishnan, group chief executive of Barclays, said: “It is a privilege to partner with Lord’s, the Home of Cricket. Barclays and Lord’s, two great British institutions, will work together to build the next generation of budding cricketers. Barclays is invested in world-class sports partnerships. We are eager to work with the MCC Foundation on their grassroots cricket programmes, strengthening communities by providing access and facilities for all players.”
The high street lender is already title sponsor of Barclays’ Women’s Super League, banking partner of the Premier League and banking partner of Wimbledon.
Part of the donation to the MCC Foundation will support its network of cricket hubs that provide free-to-access coaching and match play to children from state schools who might not otherwise be able to participate in the sport. It will expand from 124 sites to 200 sites in 2026, benefiting more than 10,000 young people by 2028.
Rob Lynch, MCC’s interim chief executive & secretary of MCC, said: “This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for MCC, Lord’s and cricket as a whole. Barclays shares our passion for working for the good of the game and ensuring that as many young people throughout the UK can pick up a bat and ball and take part in our wonderful game. Their incredible support for the MCC Foundation will help us make cricket more accessible to thousands of young people, fostering the next generation of talent and fans to Lord’s.”
The ground is due to host four international fixtures this year: England and India’s men’s and women’s teams will face each other in a Test match and an ODI respectively; while England take on South Africa in a men’s ODI in September; and the ICC World Test Championship Final will come to Lord’s for the first time in June.
