Worcestershire County Cricket Club

Looking up Worcestershire County Cricket Club usually means you want to know what it is like to watch a match, how to plan a visit to New Road, or what to do in Worcester afterwards. This guide covers the essentials: the ground and its cricket, tickets, travel, access, food and drink, and ways to turn a day at the boundary into a night out in the city.

Why visit Worcestershire County Cricket Club?

Based at New Road in central Worcester, Worcestershire County Cricket Club is the county’s professional cricket club and a distinctive place to see domestic cricket. Its first-class story began in 1899, and the ground sits beside the River Severn, with Worcester Cathedral across the water. That setting gives a matchday a strong sense of place: the city is right outside the gates, so cricket can easily be part of a wider day out rather than a trip to an out-of-town stadium.

The club’s senior teams play several formats, each offering a different pace and atmosphere. County Championship matches are the longer form: play is scheduled over four days, making them a relaxed option for watching a session, following a contest develop, and taking in the ground at an unhurried pace. The Metro Bank One Day Cup is a one-day format, while Vitality Blast T20 brings a quicker, shorter evening-style spectacle. Worcestershire’s women’s and men’s sides feature across the season; check the fixture listing to see which team is at home.

New Road is also known as Visit Worcestershire New Road on the club’s current visitor information. Names, timings and match arrangements can vary between fixtures, so check the relevant match page before setting out. The ground has faced flooding from the nearby Severn, and fixtures or access arrangements can be affected by weather. The club has reported investment in improvements following flooding in winter 2025–26, but this is not a guarantee that conditions will never disrupt a match.

Choose a match that suits you

For newcomers, the format matters as much as the opposition. A Championship day suits visitors who enjoy the ebb and flow of a long contest. You can settle in for part of the day, take a break, and return to the action; check the ticket terms for the fixture you choose. A one-day match offers a more defined day out, while a T20 is designed to deliver a concentrated burst of cricket and atmosphere, often making it an easy fit before a later meal or drinks in town.

Fixture calendars change each season, and matches may be rescheduled. Use the club’s official fixtures and ticket pages for current dates, start times, ticket availability and any match-specific information. As an example of published 2026 pricing, the club announced advance adult tickets at £16 for Rothesay County Championship matches and £10 for Metro Bank One Day Cup matches, with junior admission listed as free for Championship and £1 for the One Day Cup. Vitality Blast early-bird tickets were announced from £15 for adults and £5 for juniors. These are season-specific advance prices, not a promise of what a ticket will cost today; check the individual fixture for current prices and availability.

Buy through the club’s official ticket channel and keep your ticket or pass available for entry. General admission gives access to public areas, but members’ and hospitality areas may be restricted. Tickets are generally subject to the club’s published terms, and a match may be rescheduled or interrupted. Before travelling, review the fixture page for gate details and updates, particularly if weather has been unsettled.

Getting to New Road

The ground’s central location makes rail and walking a practical combination for many visitors. Worcester Foregate Street is the nearest station, approximately half a mile from the cricket ground. The club’s directions advise leaving by the main entrance, following the path alongside the arches towards the river, turning left towards the bridge, then using the pedestrian crossings to reach New Road. The ground is shortly ahead on the left. Allow time for the walk and check train times and service updates before travelling.

If you are arriving by car, the club directs drivers from the M5 via Junction 7 and road signs marked with cricket stumps. The club says matchday parking at the ground is limited and must be booked in advance; do not assume a space will be available on arrival. Nearby alternatives listed by the club include Tybridge Street, Copenhagen Street, Newport Street and Cattle Market car parks. Check current restrictions, charges, and walking routes with the car park operator before you travel, as these details can change.

Where possible, plan the journey home as carefully as the journey in. A four-day match may have different timings from a T20 evening fixture, and play can be delayed by weather. If you are staying for a night out, confirm the last suitable train or arrange a safe alternative rather than relying on an unverified late service. For matchday travel questions, consult the club’s transport information and your rail or local transport provider on the day.

Accessibility and matchday essentials

The club says New Road has step-free access and lifts to key areas, including the Graeme Hick Pavilion, Sports Bar, The View on Levels 2 and 3, and the ticket office. Wheelchair-friendly toilets are located around the ground, and trained stewards are available to assist. Accessible seating and viewing options can be booked in advance by calling the ticketing team on 01905 337921. If you have a particular access requirement, contact the club before your visit to discuss what will work for you.

There is limited paid Blue Badge parking at the ground, and it must be booked in advance; the club warns that visitors without a confirmed space may not be able to park. Its visitor page identifies a drop-off point beside the Severn Bridge. Visitors with special educational needs and disabilities can request entry 30 minutes before gates open to the general public, providing a quieter opportunity to acclimatise. Confirm the arrangement and gate opening time for your specific match.

Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult under the club’s ground regulations. Bags may be searched, and prohibited items include glass vessels, knives, fireworks, drones, weapons, air horns and laser devices. Rules on bringing food and alcohol depend on the type of match: for some County Championship and One Day Cup group-stage fixtures, limited alcohol and personal food or soft drinks are allowed, while alcohol is prohibited at T20s, full international fixtures and specified knockout matches. Do not rely on a general rule; check matchday information before packing.

For the same reason, check whether dogs are allowed at the particular fixture. Club regulations permit dogs at some longer-form and group-stage matches, subject to conditions, but not at T20s, full internationals, certain knockout matches or concerts; assistance dogs are welcome. Smoking and vaping are permitted only in designated areas. These rules can affect your plans, so consult the latest ground regulations rather than assuming policies are identical for every event.

Food, drink and the evening plan

Food and drink options vary by fixture, and not every outlet or facility is necessarily open at every match. The club’s visitor information has listed options such as the Severn Sports Bar, Wodr Bar & Café, burger and ice-cream outlets, and food vendors. Opening times, menus and payment arrangements can change; check the match-specific information before deciding whether to eat at the ground or book a table elsewhere. Bring a payment card or other accepted cashless payment method if the relevant match information says the venue is cashless.

For a simple itinerary, arrive with enough time to find your gate, settle in and explore the ground before play. After the match, head into Worcester city centre for dinner or a drink. Visit Worcester’s official food and drink guide lists city options ranging from traditional pubs to cocktail bars, craft beer venues and places with live entertainment. The range makes it easy to match the evening to your group: choose a quieter pub after a full day in the sun, a restaurant for a proper meal, or a music-led venue if you want to carry on later.

Examples listed by Visit Worcester include Craft Inn, described as offering craft beer, cocktails and weekly live entertainment; Heroes, an alternative bar with weekend DJs; and Tonic, a craft beer and cocktail bar on The Foregate. The city guide also features food-led venues and late-night options. Treat these as starting points, not guaranteed opening information: opening hours, entertainment schedules, age policies, entry arrangements and booking requirements are venue-specific and may change. Check directly with the venue on your chosen date.

If you have a particular event or match in mind, make reservations where appropriate and allow for the walk from New Road. A match may finish later than expected if play is interrupted or extended, so avoid booking a non-refundable meal at a time that leaves no flexibility. If going out with a group, agree a meeting point and a route back to your accommodation or station in advance.

Make the most of Worcester

A cricket visit can be a good introduction to Worcester’s compact city centre. Before the match, visitors can combine the walk to New Road with time by the river or a look around the historic centre; after the game, the same central location puts restaurants and bars within reach. Keep the match itself at the centre of the plan, though: the best choice of pre- or post-match activity depends on the start time, weather, ticket access and how long the game runs.

For cricket fans, allow time to appreciate the ground’s riverside setting and the changing rhythm of the format. For first-timers, it helps to understand that not every ball produces a dramatic moment: the interest is in the contest, the tactics and the atmosphere around it. In a T20, the pace is brisk and the event is shorter; in a Championship match, settling in for a session can be part of the pleasure. Bring weather-appropriate layers and check the forecast, but follow the ground’s bag and entry rules when deciding what to carry.

Worcestershire’s cricket calendar includes more than one team and competition, so do not assume a men’s fixture, women’s fixture or international match has the same ticketing, start time or admission policy. Read the event page carefully, particularly for family tickets, hospitality, accessibility, and food or drink rules. For any detail that is not explicit online, contact the club before purchasing or travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Worcestershire County Cricket Club play?

The club plays at New Road in Worcester, currently also referred to by the club as Visit Worcestershire New Road. The venue is beside the River Severn in the city centre, close to Worcester Cathedral.

How far is the ground from Worcester Foregate Street?

The nearest station is Worcester Foregate Street, approximately half a mile from the ground. The club provides a walking route via the river and bridge; allow time to follow it and check current station and service information before travel.

How much do tickets cost?

Prices depend on the competition, age category, booking time and availability. The club’s announced 2026 advance adult prices included £16 for County Championship and £10 for One Day Cup matches, while T20 pricing varied. Check the specific match ticket page for the current amount before booking.

Can I bring food or alcohol into New Road?

It depends on the match. The club permits limited food and alcohol at certain County Championship and One Day Cup group-stage games, but bans alcohol at T20s, full internationals and specified knockout fixtures. Check the matchday rules for your event, and note that glass vessels are prohibited.

Is New Road accessible?

The club lists step-free access, lifts to key areas, wheelchair-friendly toilets, accessible seating and assistance from trained stewards. Blue Badge parking is limited and must be booked in advance. Contact the ticketing team on 01905 337921 to discuss seating or access needs.

What can I do after the cricket?

Worcester has restaurants, pubs, cocktail bars and venues with live entertainment. Visit Worcester’s official drink guide is a useful directory, but confirm opening times, bookings, age restrictions and event schedules directly with each venue.

Browse Worcester Party photos

Looking for a glimpse of Worcester’s social scene beyond the cricket ground? Browse the Worcester Party photo archive for pictures from nights out around the city. It is an archive, not a live events calendar or a ticket page, so check venues directly for current listings and entry information.

For a smooth outing, confirm the match, ticket and travel details shortly before your visit, then choose an evening venue that suits the finish time. With New Road close to the centre and a varied local hospitality scene, a day following Worcestershire cricket can naturally become an evening in Worcester.