MCC: Coming to England v Ireland?

Photo Credit: Marylebone Cricket Club

WE’RE DELIGHTED TO BE WELCOMING BACK ENGLAND MEN FOR THE FIRST TEST MATCH OF THE SUMMER HERE AT LORD’S.  

England’s men will be taking on Ireland for what we hope will be a spectacle of cricket to start of this double Ashes summer. 

We want your time at Lord’s to be special, so please read the following important information about your visit. 

MATCH TIMINGS 

We encourage spectators to arrive early to avoid crowds and allow enough time to take your seat before play starts. 

09.00 Gates open - please use the gate shown on your ticket. 

11.00 Scheduled start of play  

13.00 Lunch 

18.00 Scheduled close of play (please remember that Lord’s is in a residential area so please leave quietly and be respectful to those living near to us).  

TRAVEL

St John’s Wood is the closest tube station, and just over a five-minute walk away. However, it can get busy on a match day, and fans are encouraged to use Baker Street or Marylebone stations as well (10-15-minute walk away).

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TRAVEL – INDUSTRIAL ACTION: WEDNESDAY 31 MAY AND SATURDAY 3 JUNE 

We expect that travel plans will be seriously affected by the ASLEF rail strikes the day before the Test match begins, on Wednesday 31 May and on Day 3, Saturday 3 June.  

We are also aware that RMT has announced plans for a strike of catering and station workers on Day 2, Friday 2 June, which may also affect train services. 

If you are travelling to London by train on those days, we strongly encourage you to keep updated on the latest travel information via the Network Rail website.  

Please see below for alternative methods of transport. 

By coach:

There are a number of coach companies running services across the country into central London, enabling you to complete your journey on foot, by cycle hire, or via the London Underground or bus networks.  

• National Express offers services into London from many towns and cities across the UK. There are 35 stops in London. All routes can be found on this page. 
• Megabus serves London from over 10 routes including Bristol, Cardiff, Sheffield, Heathrow, Leeds, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Middlesbrough and Newcastle. 
• FlixBus provides services into London from scores of towns and cities in England, Wales and Scotland, particuarly in the South West of England. All routes are visible on the  Route Map page of the FlixBus website. 

By car 

There are car parking facilities both in the vicinity of Lord’s and further afield. You can check local NCP car parks at over 75 TfL stations around London, many of which have ample availability, by clicking  here. You can also find public car parks local to Lord’s at  QPARK. 

We are grateful to Westminster City Council for once again agreeing to temporarily suspend the maximum stay period on Pay to Park facilities around Lord’s on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 June only. With the exception of St John’s Wood High Street, those travelling to the Test match by car on Day 3 will be able to park in Parking Zone C and the B/C Sub-Zone (the Harrow Road, Queen’s Park and Maida Vale (North) areas) throughout the day. Parking charges will be in place. Please note that the normal maximum stay period is four hours which means you may need to pay for more than one parking period over the course of the day. 

Full details about Parking Zones and Sub-Zones within the City of Westminster, and the hours of control that apply to these areas, can be found on our website here.   

Please check Westminster City Council’s website to keep updated on possible parking restrictions in the St John’s Wood area that day. 

By bicycle 

There are 15 docking stations for Santander Cycles within a five-minute walk of Lord’s. You can hire a bicycle from one of 800 docking stations around London. It costs just £1.65 for every half an hour of your journey. 

If you plan to cycle your own bicycle to the Ground, you may be able to lock it up by the No.6 Gate, but please be aware that spaces on this bike rack are extremely limited and you cannot book a space in advance.  

We strongly advise visiting Transport for London to plan your journey in advance. 

SECURITY

You can expect to be searched on entry to the Ground. Please follow the guidance given by our stewards and security staff. We suggest that you bring with you only essential items or leave bags at home if possible. 

Help Lord’s stay secure by staying alert; if something doesn’t look right, tell a steward.

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WHAT TO BRING

• Your e-ticket (electronic on your mobile device or printed)
• Your debit/credit card or payment-enabled mobile device
• A water bottle to refill, sun lotion and an umbrella 
• Food and drink – See what you can bring here.

INCIDENTS

We want Lord’s to be a Ground for all.  Please treat everyone equally and with kindness. To report an issue or concern, including inappropriate or anti-social behaviour, please alert a steward in the first instance. 

You can also text 07401 056737 and provide details of the incident and your location within the Ground and member of our security team will liaise directly with you.

Alternatively, to provide feedback or report any issues, please fill in our customer report form.

We stand against discrimination in all its forms and are committed to ensuring that MCC and Lord’s are welcome to all.

LORD’S APP

Please download the Lord’s app before you set off so you can easily access your match day tickets when you arrive at the gates. We’re encouraging people to use their digital tickets as this will help to minimise queuing at the gates and help us to get everyone in a quickly as we can.  when you arrive.  

The Lord’s App also allow you to share your tickets from your phone, order food and drink from your seat and keep up to date with everything taking place around the Ground. 

DOWNLOAD ANDRIOD DOWNLOAD IOS

WIFI

Wifi is available via ‘The Cloud’. For behind-the-scenes access follow Lord’s on Twitter or Instagram by searching for @HomeOfCricket. Fans are encouraged to share their photos and get in touch using the hashtag #LoveLords. 

FOOD AND DRINK OUTLETS

Good food and drink are synonymous with cricket, and we have a variety of top-quality fresh food available around the Ground.

A range of specialist outlets cater to all tastes and requirements, including Vegan and Halal options.

We’ve also partnered with some leading drinks brands, including Veuve Clicquot, whose champagne bar will be back this year, as well as Marston’s who’ll be providing Hobgoblin Session IPA throughout the Ground. Our newest partner, Hendrick’s has speciality bars if a refreshing gin is more to your taste.

The Tavern pub will be open and serving drinks and food throughout the day.

Please note that bars will close at 18.00 on each match day.

For more information on food and drink at the Ground, please click here.

REUSABLE CUPS AND WATER REFILL

All alcoholic drinks are provided in reusable cups for a £1 deposit. Please take your used cup back to a bar and receive a fresh cup with your next drink.

At the end of the day, simply return your cup(s) to one of our designated redemption bars to receive your deposit back.

Please help us by returning your used cup or putting it in the redemption bins at the exits instead of putting them in the general waste or recycling. 

Since using reusable cups we’ve stopped over 1.5 million single use plastic cups ending up in landfill.

Please make use of the water refill points around the Ground to refill your bottles.

ACCESSIBILITY 

Multi Faith rooms are open during the match and are located in the Pavilion basement (opposite the members shop) and the Edrich stand. 

those attending with small children, baby changing facilities are available around the Ground. Fully accessible adult Changing Places toilets are available in the Pavilion Basement and in the Compton Stand. Please ask a member of staff for details.   

MCC has introduced a sensory room to provide a safe and calming space for those with neurodivergent needs that may be finding the match atmosphere overwhelming. The room is available on a first-come, first-served basis and located in Tavern Suite T. For information, please contact the closest steward, who will be able to guide you. 

SHOPS AND SCORECARDS

Scorecards are available free of charge outside the shops in the Ground.

The Middlesex & MCC Members Shop is located behind the Pavilion adjacent to the Harris Gardens providing a range of options to purchase. Retail shops provide a range of Lord’s gifts, souvenirs and match-day essentials. The new Lord’s clothing range is also now available.

Shops will close 30 mins after close of play today. The full range of merchandise can also be viewed online at store.lords.org and MCC via mccstore.lords.org.

LORD’S FATHER TIME WALL

Lord’s Father Time Wall is situated between the Grand and Compton stands, and celebrates 100 of the greatest milestones ever to take place at the Home of Cricket. Fans around the world can be part of the history by purchasing a personalised plaque to commemorate their own significant memories at Lord’s. 

Please visit the wall and talk to our knowledgeable guides who can give you the stories behind some of the amazing milestones listed.

5% of every sale goes toward helping the MCC Foundation grow the game of cricket both in the United Kingdom and overseas.

MUSEUM

MCC would like to invite you to visit the MCC Museum which is open until 30mins before close of play and free of charge.

FAQS

If you have any questions, please visit the FAQs section of the site for more information.

We look forward to welcoming you to Lord’s.

Name of Author: Marylebone Cricket Club