The owner of Lord’s Cricket Ground, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced a new sponsorship agreement with Barclays Private Bank, solidifying the bank’s position as the league’s official partner.
Through this deal, the band has been named as the new principal partner of MCC and Lord’s Cricket Ground. As a top-tier Lord’s sponsor, Barclays will get name rights to the stadium’s media centre, which was inaugurated in 1999. JP Morgan, a US financial services corporation, has previously sponsored the media facility.
In addition, Barclays will make a major annual donation to the MCC Foundation, the club’s official charity. Part of this funding will go towards the charity’s Hub Programme, which is a network of cricket hubs that offer free coaching and match play to state-educated youngsters across the UK.
With Barclays’ support, the Hub Programme will grow from 124 to 200 sites by 2026. Lord’s stated the scheme will help up to 6,800 junior cricketers by 2026, increasing to more than 10,000 by 2028.
Notably, the agreement expands Barclays’ sports sponsorship portfolio. The firm is also the title sponsor of the Women’s Super League and a banking partner of the Premier League and Wimbledon. In India, the bank has also recently developed sponsorship ties with World Pickleball League (WPBL).
Rob Lynch, interim Chief Executive and 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 sport. 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.”
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.”
Recently, Lord’s also named BrewDog as its official beer partner in November, with the four-year partnership starting out this month. BrewDog took on the job from Carlsberg Marston’s.
Lord’s is going to host more international cricket than any other UK stadium this year, and it will also organise the first women’s Test match in 2026.
