Edgbaston Cricket Ground set for major hotel and stand redevelopment

Edgbaston Stadium has received a major funding boost from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in its bid to develop an on-site hotel and new spectator stand. 

A loan facility of up to £18 million pounds has been approved by WMCA which will cover a substantial part of the Club’s plans to re-develop the Raglan and Priory stands alongside a new 4-star hotel.   

It paves the way for Edgbaston to work with other partners to secure remaining funding with a view for construction to begin – subject to planning approval – in September 2025. 

Detailed consultation with stakeholders, including residents and Warwickshire Members, will take place over the next six months ahead of a proposed planning application being submitted in the autumn. 

If granted, the project is expected to be finished by Spring 2027 with the hotel opening in time for that year’s men’s Ashes Test Match against Australia. 

The proposed hotel will include a rooftop terrace, pitch-view rooms with balconies, and other rooms that can be converted into hospitality boxes with small external terraces to watch the match action. 

And the redeveloped stand – which will have the same capacity as the old Raglan and Priory stands – will include a new concourse with enhanced food and drink options, plus improved facilities for disabled spectators.

L-R Stuart Cain, Chief Executive; Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands; and Craig Flindall, Chief Operating Officer.

Stuart Cain, Edgbaston Chief Executive said: “Getting the funding in place is crucial. We’re grateful to WMCA for making this contribution and backing our ambition to continue bringing major economic and social benefits to the region through international sport.  

“Once the remaining funding is secured, we will consult with the local community and Members on our plans.  

“Cricket will always stay at the heart of our thinking, but it’s important we develop a stadium that brings new jobs to this part of the city and creates wider community opportunities through the hotel and an expanded conferencing and events business that sits alongside world class sport.” 

The project is the latest development in the Edgbaston Masterplan to transform the stadium into a multi-use sports, residential, commercial, and community complex.

It’s expected the project will create more than 376 jobs during the construction period and another 100 post completion, adding to the 1,000 jobs the stadium already supports locally. 

Edgbaston Stadium currently contributes approximately £35 million to the local economy and projections from the new hotel development increase that to £40 million. 

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Chair of the WMCA, said: “The upgrade plans for Edgbaston Stadium will take a globally recognised cricket stage and provide it with the world class facilities it needs to continue thriving in the future.

“That’s important because Edgbaston attracts tens of thousands of fans to our region from around the world, boosting our economy and especially our hospitality sector.  

“The improvements to the stadium will elevate their experience while directly creating hundreds more jobs for local people.

“So, I’m pleased the WMCA has agreed to support the scheme. It builds on the wonderful legacy of the Commonwealth Games and will help maintain the West Midlands as a key destination for global sporting events in the decades ahead.”  

Cllr Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull council, and portfolio holder for housing and land at the WMCA, said: “Edgbaston Cricket Ground is internationally renowned. It is one of England’s premium sporting arenas. 

“I am pleased we have been able to offer a substantial loan to support these plans to maximise land use around the ground. It will not only improve the spectator experience but also unlock investment into a new hotel bringing jobs and other commercial opportunities.” 

Edgbaston Stadium has been home to Warwickshire County Cricket Club since 1885. The grounds has played host to iconic moments in cricket, including the Ashes, T20, and the Commonwealth Games – the first time since 1998. 

Warwickshire County Cricket Club attracts up to 25,000 spectators for an Ashes week, or 5,000 per day. 

Edgbaston’s Masterplan has recently seen the opening of the Corkfield apartment complex opposite the stadium and the launch of a new hospitality centre of excellence. 

Corkfield consists of 375 apartments, underground parking, 14,000 sq ft of retail space, a rooftop terrace overlooking the stadium, and landscaped courtyard. The Club’s works as part of the Masterplan included a new entrance piazza and car parking zones, totalling over 15,000 square metres. 

The new catering and hospitality centre of excellence at Edgbaston promises exciting career opportunities at the stadium for residents. 

Xcelerate with Edgbaston – operated by stadium catering partner Levy UK + Ireland – is situated behind the Wyatt Stand and offers apprenticeships, career development, and skills training for people wanting to work in the sector. 

Apprenticeships will range from Level 2 through to degree level and spanning culinary, operations, IT, HR, event management, procurement and finance roles. 

Access to funding for the project was provided by Frontier Development Capital Ltd (FDC), a fund manager working closely with property developers to arrange investments from the WMCA's Collective Investment Fund (CIF), Revolving Investment fund (RIF) and Brownfield Land and Property Development Fund (BLPDF).