Despite a busy cricket season in 2026, the home of cricket will have to balance a World Cup and key England matches with an incomplete stand
It’s iconic not only in English Cricket, but in the game across the globe and has been for centuries. But like any other ground, there is a need for renovation and restoration to keep the ground historic but also fresh.
This is exactly the aim of the Allen stand, which according to the MCC is set to increase the capacity of the stand by over 100 and make it more accessible for fans on match day. The redevelopment will also bring a new Middlesex member room and recreate the famous Member’s bridge between the stand and the pavilion.
But there is a catch. Full redevelopment won’t be complete until this upcoming winter and with the cricketing season in England underway, there are mitigations in place. This has also seen disruption to the Harris Garden behind the stand.
Temporary seating will be placed in the stand to accommodate for major match days at the ground, which this year include multiple games and a double header in this years Women’s T20 World Cup, England Test matches against New Zealand and Pakistan, the Hundred finals day, and the home for London Spirit and Middlesex during their County Championship and Blast campaigns.
With the start of the County Championship in early April means that the cricket season has begun, despite the stand’s temporary seating being ready. Players such as former England Fast Bowler Toby Roland-Jones have had to put aside the sound of drilling and moving cranes in order to bowl and bat.
Going to Lord’s and seeing the current building works offered up a stark contrast. On one hand you have the beauty and the elegance of the iconic Pavilion, to the rubble filled noise of the working redevelopment. An interesting that may have non natives to the famous ground confused and startled.
In fact, construction work is unfortunately unable to stop and only work between overs. The work is constant and happening at every moment and every ball. That’ll for sure distract multiple batsman early on in the County Championship season.
However, it’s no doubt that the redevelopment will bring a fresh, new taste to the ground with improved gamey experiences for all and a better ‘Home of Cricket’ for all.
