Barclays has entered into a new multi-year partnership with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), becoming the principal partner of Lord's Cricket Ground. This collaboration is part of Barclays' ongoing commitment to professional and grassroots sports, joining its existing partnerships in football and tennis.
The bank's involvement will help support MCC's aim to make cricket accessible to 10,000 young people by 2028 through significant donations to the MCC Foundation. Barclays' contribution will assist in expanding the Foundation’s Hub Programme from 124 sites to 200 by 2026, providing free coaching and match play for state-educated children across the UK.
C.S. Venkatakrishnan, Group Chief Executive of Barclays, stated: "It is a privilege to partner with Lord’s, the Home of Cricket. Barclays and Lord’s, two great British institutions, will work together to build the next generation of budding cricketers."
Rob Lynch, Interim Chief Executive & Secretary of MCC, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for MCC, Lord’s and cricket as a whole."
The iconic Media Centre at Lord's will be renamed as the Barclays Media Centre. In addition to financial support for community programs, Barclays aims to enhance fan experiences at Lord's Cricket Ground.
In 2025, Lord’s will host several international fixtures including matches between England and India’s men’s and women’s teams. The ground will also see its first-ever women's Test Match in 2026.