Plans lodged by Sport Ireland for a new national cricket centre, including a spectator bowl, would generate a €93 million tourism dividend here over a five-year period, according to planning documents lodged with Fingal County Council.
During the same 2026 to 2030 period, the cricket stadium, which would have a permanent capacity of 4,240, would generate an additional €29 million through ticket sales and operational expenditure.
Sport Ireland is also seeking permission for a high-performance centre and supporting infrastructure at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus at Abbotstown.
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A planning report drawn up by Cunnane Stratton Reynolds for Sport Ireland said the proposed centre would “provide Cricket Ireland with a permanent, world-class facility, within the home of Irish sport”.
An evaluation of the proposed stadium’s economic impact carried out by EY showed that €39.9 million would be spent as a result of the 2030 men’s T20 Cricket World Cup.
The EY findings also said that, based on an average year’s operation, the centre would support 460 jobs a year from 2026 to 2030.
Overall, the net impact of the centre would amount to 1,555 jobs.
The planning report said a once-off capacity of 20,000 would be required for the 2030 global tournament and, as it is a once-off event, it would probably be the subject of an events licence closer to the time of that event.
A report lodged with the application states the Irish economy would benefit from co-hosting the 2030 tournament, for which the centre will host a maximum of eight matches, with the remaining matches to be played in Malahide or Stormont.
Planning documents lodged show the proposed development is likely to generate about 200 construction jobs.
The planning report states that the proposed development “is the first capacity venue to be located on the campus, is unique in its ability to expand its capacity, as and when needed, through procurement of future sports event licences granted”.
Outlining the need for the development, it said “Cricket Ireland has no home of its own. It needs a home of its own. It cannot rely on using club facilities, much to the clubs’ inconvenience and at great cost”.
It added that the campus “provides a unique opportunity to provide that facility for cricket and the proposal meets many of Cricket Ireland’s requirements”.
