Approval has been granted for the National Cricket Stadium and High Performance Centre project to move into the pre-tender phase.

Planning and design for the project are expected to be completed by mid-2025, with the tender phase to follow. The Centre, located in the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown, will provide Ireland with a permanent cricket venue that meets International Cricket Council standards for hosting major cricket events and competitions.

It is anticipated that the proposed facilities would include both indoor and outdoor practice and training areas and an arena for holding major games with associated media and spectator facilities. This would enable Ireland to host major international cricket events.

The project is planned to be delivered in phases, with Phase 1 expected to be completed by 2028. This initial phase will include the construction of a main cricket oval, seating for 4,000 spectators, a high-performance centre and various ancillary facilities.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, said: "While cricket is a sport with really deep roots in Ireland, it’s also a sport that reflects the diversity and plurality of today’s society. It is really pleasing to see how the sport has grown, at all levels, in Ireland over recent years, particularly the increase in female participation numbers and among our growing community from South Asia. A National Stadium and High Performance Centre will provide Cricket Ireland with the facilities required to further grow participation numbers.”

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"This new Centre will also address the need to provide playing, training and practice facilities to enable Ireland’s elite teams to compete at the highest international levels. As we enjoy the success of Team Ireland athletes at the Olympics in Paris, we look forward to the return of cricket as an Olympic sport in Los Angeles in 2028. I have no doubt that this new facility will deliver a transformational impact on Irish cricket and, as a result, we will be cheering on Irish teams at Olympic Games in the not too distant future."

In addition, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, stated: "Continued Government investment is essential to increasing participation levels in all sports, across all sectors of society. We understand that in order to achieve our participation targets, we must provide world-class sporting facilities for our athletes. The development of international standard facilities is also necessary to enable Ireland to act as a host nation for major international sports events and competitions.

"As we look forward to Ireland co-hosting the 2030 Men’s Cricket T20 World Cup with the UK, the development of a National Cricket Stadium and High Performance Centre is timely. It will be really exciting to see some of those matches taking place in the new oval at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown. It will further open up the Campus to the wider country and build awareness of what a unique asset Ireland has in this 550 acre site.”

"The National Sports Campus is already an invaluable part of the sporting infrastructure of the country and this development, along with the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre, will further enhance what are already world class sporting and support facilities."

Speaking on behalf of Sport Ireland, CEO Dr. Úna May said: "We're very happy at this news about Ministerial approval for Sport Ireland to progress the project design and planning in respect of a National Cricket Stadium and training facility at the Sport Ireland Campus.

"This state-of-the-art venue will be a game-changer for cricket in Ireland, providing a high-performance training facility for our athletes to hone and showcase their talents and for fans to experience the thrill of the game up close.

"This news marks a significant milestone in the Government’s commitment to elevating Irish cricket to new heights. We’re looking forward to seeing the incredible matches and memorable moments that will take place here."