Uncertain Future for Middlesex at Lord’s

Middlesex Cricket Club's long-term presence at Lord’s is under threat, with the club yet to secure a lengthy extension of their tenancy agreement with the MCC, which ends this year. After months of discussions, a short-term, 12-month agreement is close to being finalised, allowing Middlesex to play most of their home games at Lord’s next season. However, the club’s future beyond that remains unclear.

Historically, Middlesex's leases with the MCC have spanned five years, so the prospect of a one-year deal has raised concerns, especially since the club has called Lord’s home since 1864. The short-term arrangement was made as a temporary fix, but both parties acknowledge that this solution may not fully meet their needs, as reflected by the prolonged negotiations. Middlesex has faced governance and financial challenges in recent years, and senior MCC officials are believed to have voiced worries about the county's management. Additionally, there are reports of tension between the leadership teams of both clubs.

Last September, the ECB fined Middlesex £50,000 and issued a suspended points deduction for breaching financial regulations. More recently, in June, the club was charged with improper conduct by the new Cricket Regulator, with a disciplinary hearing reportedly taking place last month. Middlesex has denied the allegations.

An MCC insider mentioned the potential risk to Lord’s reputation from its association with Middlesex, highlighting that whenever the club is in the headlines, Lord's often appears in the background.

In April, Middlesex’s chief executive, Andrew Cornish, publicly aired the club’s concerns in an interview, even suggesting the possibility of relocating to a new ground in north-west London. He later clarified that such a move would not occur in the immediate future. Under Cornish's leadership since 2021, Middlesex's financial situation has improved, with the club posting a profit for the first time since 2016—£131,000—though this was largely due to cost-cutting measures that impacted performance on the field. This past summer, the club did not sign any overseas players and fell short of promotion to Division One of the County Championship after being relegated last year. Budget cuts are expected to continue, with opener Mark Stoneman being released and no overseas signings planned for next season.

The current financial agreement between Middlesex and MCC, under which the MCC pays Middlesex to play at Lord’s while retaining match-day revenue, is also being reevaluated. For nearly 150 years, Middlesex paid rent and kept gate receipts, but this arrangement was reversed in 2015 with a five-year deal, which was later extended. 

In recent years, attendance at Middlesex’s T20 Blast matches has significantly declined. Last season, two games were moved to Chelmsford, which impacted MCC’s income. More matches could be relocated next season due to the high demand from other teams wanting to play at Lord’s.

Sources within the MCC expressed their desire for Middlesex to remain at Lord’s but said they need additional time to explore long-term solutions. Adding to the delay, MCC is undergoing a period of transition, with a new chief executive expected by the year’s end, replacing Guy Lavender, who is moving on to become the chief executive of Cheltenham Racecourse. Mark Nicholas, a former Hampshire captain, recently became MCC chair, succeeding his role as president of the club. Meanwhile, Mervyn King, a former governor of the Bank of England, has taken over the presidency.

Another layer of complexity is the ongoing sale of The Hundred franchises, as MCC is likely to gain a new partner at Lord’s next year. The London Spirit franchise, considered the most valuable of the eight, is drawing interest from the Ambani family, owners of the Mumbai Indians, who are rumoured to be preparing an irresistible bid.