Lancashire Cricket has posted record profits as non-cricket revenue has surpassed international matches for the first time.
The club reported an operating profit of £4.7 million for the year ending 31 December 2024 – down slightly from £5.3 million in 2023 – but still a record figure for a non-Ashes year.
The club posted turnover of £34.1 million, compared to £36.5 million in 2023, with a modest surplus before taxation of £0.2 million. Income from both international and domestic cricket was lower, impacted by the absence of an Ashes Test and the washout of two major 2024 fixtures – the Australia IT20 and the Roses T20 – due to poor weather.
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However, August’s Sri Lanka Test drew 55,000 spectators to Emirates Old Trafford, and the club sold over 57,000 tickets for the Vitality Blast, including a sold-out Roses clash. Membership stood at 7,483 in 2024 and has since risen to over 9,000 in 2025.
The club’s off-field revenues continued to grow. Hotel, conference, and events income rose by 19%, with the Hilton Garden Inn operating a full year at 250 rooms following its 2023 extension. For the first time, hotel revenue overtook that from international cricket. Emirates Old Trafford also hosted three nights of concerts last June, attracting 150,000 fans across two Foo Fighters gigs and one by Green Day.
Construction began last year on Lancashire’s second base in Farington, a new development set to open in 2026 and delivered in partnership with Lancashire County Council.
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Angela Lowes, Lancashire Cricket’s Chief Financial Officer, said the results highlight the importance of a diversified business model. She said: “Following another incredibly busy twelve months at Lancashire Cricket and Emirates Old Trafford, I would like to place on record my thanks to all our staff for their hard work and dedication in delivering a wide range of events – both cricket and non-cricket – helping to ensure we were well equipped to handle the challenges that came our way.
“The Annual Report for 2024 shows very strong revenue from our non-cricket events, including the first full year of the on-site Hilton Garden Inn hotel operating at full capacity. This highlights the importance of a diversified business model – especially in a year when cricket revenue was impacted by factors beyond the Club’s control.
“The weather disruptions to the Men’s IT20 and Roses T20 significantly affected our cricket income, while, as anticipated, the Men’s Test against Sri Lanka drew less interest compared to the high-profile Men’s Ashes Test in 2023.
“With the anticipated completion of the investment from the RPSG Group this summer, we can look forward to an exciting future. The investment will help secure the long-term stability of Lancashire Cricket, allowing us to reduce debt to a sustainable level and invest further into the cricket department, member facilities, and infrastructure projects at both Emirates Old Trafford and Farington.”
Looking ahead, Emirates Old Trafford is set to host a Men’s Test against India, a Men’s IT20 against South Africa, and its first Women’s international in over a decade, as England take on India in a Women’s IT20.
The Club is also in exclusive negotiations with the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group over the sale of a 70% stake in Manchester Originals. Subject to approval, the deal is expected to complete this summer, providing a long-term cash injection.
Lowes added: “The investment will help secure the long-term stability of Lancashire Cricket, allowing us to reduce debt to a sustainable level and invest further into the cricket department, member facilities, and infrastructure projects at both Emirates Old Trafford and Farington.”
The Club’s full Annual Report will be presented to Members today at its AGM.
