The Edgbaston Cricket Ground is home to the Warwickshire County Cricket Club, and is the home ground of the Birmingham Phoenix men’s team.
It has hosted numerous Test matches, One Day Internationals, and Twenty20 International matches. In fact, this stadium has hosted the T20 Finals Day more often than any other cricket ground in the United Kingdom!
Interestingly, this English ground will host the first-ever women’s cricket tournament at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.
This article covers everything you need to know before you visit the Edgbaston Cricket Ground – dress code, opening hours and contact details, how to plan your trip to the stadium, how to get there, and more.
| Read More: Discover everything about the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games – dates, events, and more. Also, check out these 25 Best Spots To Visit in the Birmingham City Centre, West Midlands. |
This Article Covers
- Opening Hours and Contact Details
- How to Plan Your Trip
- How to Reach
- Is There a Dress Code?
- Where Can I Sit?
- Where Can I Buy Food and Drinks?
- Accessibility
- What Are the Other Facilities Available?
- A Brief History
- Most Notable Moments
- Restaurants Nearby
- Hotels Nearby
- Attractions Nearby
Opening Hours and Contact Details
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 08:30 – 17:30
Address: Edgbaston Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 7QU, United Kingdom
Website: https://edgbaston.com/
Phone Numbers:
Tickets & Membership: 0330 551 1994 (option 1)
Conference & Events: 0121 369 1994 (option 3)
Hospitality: 0121 369 1994 (option 4)
Edgbaston Cricket Centre: 0121 369 1994 (option 6)
Planning to go check out Birmingham Phoenix play against Southern Brave or the Northern Superchargers?
Buy your tickets on the Edgbaston website today and secure your spot!
How to Plan Your Trip to the Edgbaston Cricket Ground
Here are some tips that’ll help you plan your trip to the Edgbaston Stadium:
- Buy your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. When you arrive, have your ticket ready on the Edgbaston app.
- The stadium is usually jam-packed near the start of a match. So, it’s best to arrive immediately when gates open (at around one hour before the start of play.)
- Always try to use public transport when heading to the stadium because parking spots are limited. Also, you’ll likely come across road closures on Edgbaston Road on some match days.
How to Reach the Edgbaston Cricket Ground
Bicycle
You can easily travel to the Edgbaston Stadium by bicycle using the brandA38 (Bristol Road) cycle route and the Rea Valley Route.
Shuttle Bus
The stadium uses the 501 Shuttle Bus, which runs from the Birmingham City Centre to Edgbaston Stadium (County Ground.) It’s only available during all major matches, and the tickets are £5 for adults and £3.50 for children.
If you plan to use the bus, check the fixture Spectator Guide to find out if it’ll be available when you attend a match. You can buy tickets online on the Edgbaston Stadium website, or you can buy them on the exact day.
The shuttle bus pick-up point is located in the City Centre, near Birmingham New Street Train Station (opposite TK Maxx.)
Public Buses
National Express buses 45 and 47 travel from Birmingham City to the cricket ground. These buses will pick you up at the City Centre and then drop you off on Pershore Road. From there, you’d take a 2-minute walk to Edgbaston Rd.
Train
The Birmingham New Street Station is located about 2 miles from Edgbaston Rd. So, it’s around a 20-minute walk from the station to the ground.
Car
The best way to commute to the stadium is by using public transport.
Parking at Edgbaston Cricket Ground
There are car park spots near the stadium, but there’s limited space. So, if you prefer to travel by car, you’d have to book a car park space in advance on the Edgbaston Stadium website.
Is There a Dress Code at Edgbaston Cricket Ground?
When visiting the stadium, you need to wear smart/casual clothing and avoid flip-flops and ripped jeans.
If you’re visiting the stadium’s Warwickshire Suite, you should avoid trainers, flip-flops, plimsolls, and ripped jeans.
Where Can I Sit When Visiting the Edgbaston Cricket Ground?
The cricket ground has these different stands:
- Eric Hollies Stand: This well-renowned stand has a great atmosphere and is perfect for groups of friends.
- Drayton Manor Family Stand – (Priory Stand): This stand is located between the West and Raglan Stands, and is the stadium’s main family stand.
- Selco Builders Warehouse Family Stand: This alcohol-free stand is perfect for those who are visiting the stadium as a family.
- Scrivens (Press Box) Stand: This alcohol-free stand offers breathtaking views and is an ideal spot for families.
- Skyline Terrace: This is the best stand to go to if you want to enjoy the beautiful views of the Birmingham City skyline.
- Raglan Stand: This stand offers brilliant views of the pitch and has a wide variety of food and drinks.
- South Stand: The South Stand has a seating capacity of over 4,000 spectators and offers incredible ground-level views.
- West Stand: The West Stand comprises the Lower and Upper sections, and is close to food, drink, and toilet facilities.
- RES Wyatt: This stand was built at the City End in 1995, and is located near the Edgbaston Market.
- Stanley Barnes Stand: This stand is in front of the Thwaite Memorial Scoreboard, and is known for offering splendid views of the ground.
- Tom Dollery Members Lounge: This classy area is for Warwickshire Members, but it’s also available to non-members on major match days.
Where Can I Buy Food and Drinks at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground?
On match days, the Edgbaston Stadium supplies all units with a variety of food (vegan, vegetarian, halaal, or gluten-free) and drinks.
If you want to eat or drink elsewhere, you can dine at Elegant Eat – the stadium’s fine dining restaurant. Otherwise, there are plenty of other restaurants to choose from – in and around the stadium.
Edgbaston Cricket Ground: Accessibility
The stadium’s entrances are perfect for people with special needs – be it wheelchair users or people with guide dogs. On match days, the stewarding team assists all spectators.
The stadium’s food, drink, and toilet facilities are also easily accessible. The stands also have unique spots that are reserved for people with special needs.
What Are the Other Facilities Available at the Edgbaston Cricket Stadium?
- Indoor Cricket Centre: This facility was opened in 2000 and is located on Pershore Road.
- Colts’ Ground: This ground is at the back of the Eric Hollies Stand, and is used for minor matches and cricket practice.
- Museum and Library (Learning Centre): This learning centre has interactive artwork, films, and books that cover everything about the Warwickshire County Cricket Club (Warwickshire CCC) and the ground’s history.
Let’s take a step back into the past of this esteemed ground!
A Brief History of the Edgbaston Cricket Ground
The Edgbaston Stadium (also known as County Ground) was officially opened in 1882. On 7 June 1886, this English ground had its first match – a game between the Warwickshire County Cricket Club (Warwickshire CCC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC.)
In 1902, it hosted its first Test match in the opening fixture of the 1902 Ashes series.
The stadium was redeveloped in the 1950s. The Rea Bank and the Thwaite Memorial Scoreboard were built in 1950, and the Indoor Cricket School and Pavilion Suite were completed in 1956.
In 2010, the ground’s pavilion end on the south side was redeveloped using funding from the Birmingham City Council. That same year, several stands were built – allowing the ground to accommodate around 25,000 spectators.
In 2013, it was the first English cricket ground outside Lord’s to host the ICC Champions Trophy final.
Today, the Edgbaston Ground is the fourth-largest cricket venue in England, after other cricket grounds like Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.
Needless to say, this hallowed ground has seen a lot of historic events!
Let’s look at a few of the unforgettable ones.
Edgbaston Cricket Ground’s Most Notable Moments
- 1975: The stadium hosted group matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup.
- 1979: Hosted group matches during the ICC Cricket World Cup.
- 1983: Hosted group matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup.
- 1994: Brian Lara, a Trinidadian former international cricket player, scored 501 (the highest score by a batsman in first-class cricket) for Warwickshire against Durham.
- 1999: South Africa tied with Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final.
- 2004: Marcus Trescothick (a former English cricketer) scored 105 & 107 for England against the West Indies – making him the first player to score a century in both innings of a Test match.
- 2008: South Africa won the third test against England.
- 2012: Tino Best (a former West Indian cricketer) scored 95 for the West Indies against England (which was the record highest score for a number 11 batsman back then.)
- 2013: India won the ICC Champions Trophy against England.
- 2015: England scored 408 against New Zealand, and this was their highest score ever in One Day Internationals (ODI) 50 overs matches.
- 2017: The stadium co-hosted the ICC Champions Trophy and the semi-final between Bangladesh and India.
- 2018: Jos Buttler (an English batsman) hit the fastest Twenty20 International half-century against Australia.
- 2019: The stadium hosted group matches and one semi-final in the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Here are some International cricket records from the Edgbaston Stadium:
Highest innings team score
- ODI (50 overs): England 408 for 9 vs New Zealand (9 June 2015)
- T20I: England 221 for 5 vs Australia (27 June 2018)
Highest individual score
- ODI (60 overs): Glenn Turner 171 for New Zealand vs East Africa (7 June 1975)
- T20I: Aaron Finch 84 for Australia vs England (27 June 2018)
Now, if you want to wander around the area or stay here, here are some helpful ideas:
Restaurants Near the Edgbaston Cricket Ground
- The Edgbaston Tap (3-minute walk)
- Mings Chinese Takeaway (3-minute walk)
- Sir Harry’s Chippy (3-minute walk)
- Royal Watan Kashmiri Restaurant (12-minute walk)
- Peacer (13-minute walk)
Hotels Near the Edgbaston Cricket Ground
- Edgbaston Park Hotel (17-minute walk)
- The High Field Town House (20-minute walk)
- SACO Birmingham – Brindleyplace (24-minute walk)
- Travelodge Birmingham Central Broadway Plaza Hotel (24-minute walk)
- Clayton Hotel Birmingham (29-minute walk)
Attractions Near the Edgbaston Cricket Ground
- Cannon Hill Park (3-minute walk)
- Midlands Arts Centre – MAC (3-minute walk)
- Golden Putter Mini Golf (5-minute walk)
- Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park (8-minute walk)
- Barber Institute of Fine Arts (18-minute walk)