Warwickshire CCC and Edgbaston secure enhanced role in UK Government’s pilot programme

Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Edgbaston Stadium have secured an enhanced role in the Government’s pilot programme for the return of spectators at live sporting events following approval from the Club’s Safety Advisory Group.

Tomorrow’s friendly fixture at Edgbaston between Warwickshire and Worcestershire had already been confirmed as part of the programme to support the safe return of spectators to live sporting events. However, Warwickshire Members can now also apply to attend the first two days of Warwickshire’s opening match in the Bob Willis Trophy versus Northamptonshire on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August.

Craig Flindall, Chief Operating Officer & Interim CEO at Warwickshire CCC, said:

We’re delighted that Warwickshire CCC and Edgbaston are again at the forefront of innovation and that we can play a part in securing the safe return of spectators to sporting events across the country. Our thanks go to Birmingham City Council, the England & Wales Cricket Board and the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport for the support in taking forward this pilot programme at Edgbaston.

 

It’s fantastic for us to have the opportunity to build on tomorrow’s spectator pilot match day by extending it to the opening two days of the county season, which allows Warwickshire Members to enjoy a weekend of watching cricket at Edgbaston. In partnership with Birmingham City Council and our wider city stakeholders, we have a proven track record and have vast experience of delivering some of the biggest sporting events that have taken place in the city in recent years. Whilst we are operating at a reduced capacity, these three match dates are of equal importance to those previous events.

Warwickshire Members can apply for complimentary tickets for the opening two days of the Bob Willis Trophy fixture with Northamptonshire (Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August) by logging into the online ticketing account at edgbaston.com or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0121 369 1994 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday). Members can claim up to four tickets, allowing for guests in the same social bubble to attend. However, an email address and Health Declaration must be provided by all attendees to claim the complimentary tickets.

Members must subsequently download tickets on a smart phone or print off at home to secure entry; no tickets will be distributed at the stadium or be available on the day of the match. Membership cards alone will not be accepted.

Planning a safe return 

Following discussions with the ECB and the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture Media & Sport (DCMS), Warwickshire County Cricket Club was last week confirmed as one of the venues to take part in a pilot programme to support the safe return of spectators to sporting events.

Warwickshire Members will have the opportunity to apply for a limited number of complimentary tickets to watch the second day of the Bears men’s team red ball friendly match with Worcestershire at Edgbaston on Tuesday 28 July.

Flindall said following the news:

We’re thrilled to play our part in the Government’s pilot programme and for Warwickshire Members to be amongst the first to gain entry to a live sporting event since March. We have good space and excellent facilities at Edgbaston to support this first stage trial.

 

Our ticketing and operations teams are now working closely with our partners SecuTix and The Ticket Factory to create a safe and socially distanced match day operation, and it is very exciting that this process can support the wider return of spectators at live sports events. 

 

We will continue to work closely with the ECB and DCMS, as well as the Sports Ground Safety Authority and Birmingham City Council on our delivery of this fixture.

 

Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said:

It’s brilliant news that supporters will be welcomed back to Edgbaston for Warwickshire v Worcestershire as part of the pilot series. Many of us have felt the void of being unable to go and watch live cricket during lockdown, so I am pleased that we are moving forward with our plan to help sports venues reopen their doors to fans.

Image & source, courtesy: edgbaston.com

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