ECB County Grants Fund [2026]: All You Need to Know

The ECB County Grants Fund for 2026 is now open. In this article, I’ll share what the criteria are, how much your cricket club can apply for, timings and advice to ensure you have the best chance of getting a grant.

🚨 Before you do anything as a cricket club… pause, breathe, read the criteria (and be honest).

That is my gold-standard advice. Clubs often rush to get their entries in first in the belief that this puts them at the front of the queue. It doesn’t. True, if you wait until May 2026, you’re probably too late – but a well-argued, comprehensive proposal that meets all of the requirements is worth taking the time to put together.

Now to the point about honesty.

The ECB are explicit about where priority will be given. So, if your club doesn’t have a women’s or girls’ section or provide disability cricket or take part in any of the national programmes (listed below) then it is going to struggle to be judged ahead of the many that do.

The funding is to ‘increase the number of women’s, girls’ and disability cricket teams, and to achieve the game’s vision to become the most inclusive team sport (Inspiring Generations 2025 – 2028)’.

⭐️ Talk to your County Board or Cricket Foundation – before you apply.

Again, your club will be keen to get the entry in – but this is important. Staff at the YCF (to give a Yorkshire example) know what makes a stand-out grant bid. They want to help you get it right and while that doesn’t guarantee success (due to competition), it’s the smart move.

You might be making assumptions (innocently) or misunderstood the criteria and the YCF can explain what to do. The ECB County Grants Fund is distributed regionally. So, you’d be having a conversation with the organisation who is, ultimately, going to allocate the funding.

🎯 ECB County Grant Fund 2026 eligibility – Who can apply?

All ECB-affiliated clubs in England and Wales are eligible to apply. However, things have changed this year so clubs should pay close attention.

The ECB website states: ‘Priority will be given to applications from Clubs with an established women’s section, a girls’ section, and/or offer disability cricket, or are participating in the following specific ECB programmes in 2025/2026: Girls’ Only Dynamos Cricket, Dynamos Cricket for Girls’ Activation Clubs, Disability Cricket Champion Clubs, Disability Premier League Registered Hosts.’

Don’t gloss over this bit. If you want £15,000 for a high-speed mower powered (ingeniously) by hungry cows – then this ECB grant is not for you. (But send me a photo if you get one). 🐄

If you want £15,000 to buy cricket balls… then guess what? 😁

💷 How much can you apply for?

Each club can typically apply for an amount between £1,000 (minimum) to £15,000 (maximum) per application.

If your club is applying for an Enhanced Changing Facilities grant (projects over £30,000) then a sum of up to £50,000 is available, if Sport England Accessible and Inclusive Sports Facilities Design Guidance – Section D criteria is met. (See Section 13 of the Guidance Notes).

⁉️ What projects can be funded?

This has changed too – with the ‘tackling climate change’ element removed although, as I understand it, there will be ECB funding separately later in the year.

Creating Welcoming Environments:

• Social Space
• Female / Disabled Toilet Facilities
• Catering
• Arrival and Access
• Digitising

Enhanced Playing Facilities:

• ECB Approved Non-Turf Match Pitch (min 30m)
• ECB Approved Non-Turf Practice Facility (min 26m)

The ECB requires clubs seeking a grant for non-turf pitch projects to ensure they have a full warranty from an ECB Approved NTP supplier. 👋 Ahem, shoutout to our website partner… total-play Ltd.

Enhanced Changing Facilities:

• Changing room refurbishment and/or extensions
• Individual shower spaces with drying areas
• Improved toilet provision – sanitaryware / vanity units / tiling / flooring
• Grooming points – mirrors / hand dryers / hair dryers
• Personal possession lockers

How to apply?

Download and read the 2026 guidance notes (see below). These are detailed and will lay out in more detail what to expect and how to do the best application.

Here are the links your cricket club needs – very best of luck!

ECB County Grants Fund Guidance Notes

ECB County Grants Application (via ECB IMS)