Kent Cricket CEO targets 2019 sell outs in the 2023 Vitality Blast
With less than 16 weeks to go until Kent Spitfires resume T20 competition for 2023, and with COVID restrictions behind us, Kent Cricket’s CEO Simon Storey looks forward to capacity crowds returning to 2019’s sell-out levels.
T20 cricket at Canterbury is very special. In my time as CEO, we have witnessed some amazing moments in the T20 Vitality Blast – our Quarter Final win over Birmingham Bears in 2021 on our way to winning the tournament will live long in the memory of anyone lucky enough to have managed to secure a ticket on that night.
Of course, that was in the days of reduce capacities. It is easy to forget that this time last year, it was far from certain that we would be able to get back to full crowds.
Kent Spitfires’ T20 opener for 2023 is against Gloucestershire at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury on Wednesday 24 May – entry to all scheduled T20 home matches is included in Kent Cricket Memberships, on sale now.
Our local derbies against Surrey & Essex Eagles always bring a special atmosphere and in 2019, the last season before COVID, both matches were played in front of sell-out crowds.
We’re now all focused on making sure that we provide more unmissable action at ‘Fortress Canterbury’ and looking forward to welcoming back big crowds to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
With the Surrey match being on a Sunday afternoon, 4 June, we’re expecting a bumper crowd; it is a great afternoon particularly for families. With a 14:30 start, there’s plenty of time for supporters from across the County and London to travel to Canterbury and interest in the matches – even before tickets have gone on sale – has been high.
In 2019, the excellently dubbed ‘Battle of the Bridge’ also sold out and our floodlit match against Essex Eagles on Wednesday 7 June will also create another great atmosphere that always beings the best out in the players.
Another change which will make attending the T20 Vitality Blast even more attractive is the new evening start times. All midweek matches, with the exception of the Essex match (19:00), will begin at 18:30.
Our Members and supporters have told us that the earlier start will help them make the last trains home and also – for those people bringing kids – it means they can get home a little earlier.
We have also listened to the suggestions from our Members’ Working Group around Canterbury Cricket Week, and I’m excited to see a return of T20 matches to Canterbury Cricket Week which runs from Wed 7 June – Weds 14 June this year.
We’ve added a little bit of extra excitement to each of the two T20 matches that make part of the oldest cricket festival in the world, which will help capture the imagination.
Our home T20 tie against the Eagles on 7 June will be the second match of a double-header. The South East Stars – the women’s region that represents Kent, London & the South East and that has a number of Kent Women players within its ranks, will face the Central Sparks in a Charlotte Edwards Cup T20 tie at The Spitfire Ground – with one ticket covering both the Stars vs. Sparks and Spitfires vs. Eagles matches.
To kick-off the weekend in which Pride Canterbury takes place in the City, we’re also delighted to confirm that our T20 clash with Hampshire Hawks, the final part of the 171st Canterbury Cricket Week, is designated as a Pride match. We will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in the local area and show that cricket is a game for everyone. More details will follow shortly.
I hope to see you all help to build ‘Fortress Canterbury’ this May & June – tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 21 February and you can sign up for first access using the priority link below – it’s not long to go until we are back!
Simon
Tickets for all matches at Kent Cricket in the 2023 season, including the Vitality Blast, One-Day Cup & LV= Insurance County Championship are on sale now:
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