Wednesday, September 4th, 2024

Exciting Updates for the 2025 Season: Memberships, Infrastructure Upgrades, and New Opportunities

We’re thrilled to announce several key updates and improvements that will enhance your experience as a member and supporter of Worcestershire County Cricket Club. 

Memberships for 2025: Improved Value and New Benefits

Despite significant operational cost increases, we are committed to providing excellent value for our members. For 2025, we’ve managed to limit the membership fee increase to an average of just 6%. This means you can continue to enjoy all the benefits of your membership without breaking the bank.

We’ve enhanced the early bird bonus with an additional £5 discount this year to show our appreciation for your loyalty.

We’ve also taken your feedback from the 2024 season to heart. In 2025, you’ll only need to reserve an allocated seat for the Vitality Blast fixture against Birmingham Bears. Your membership card will grant you entry to all other fixtures, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Furthermore, we’ve addressed your concerns regarding the Graeme Hick Pavilion during Vitality Blast matches. Starting next season, the Sports Bar will be exclusively available to members during these fixtures, ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Memberships will be available from October 4th, with Direct Debit payments processed around the end of October. Look out for an email with further details. Following payment of 2025 membership fees, membership cards will be sent to all members within two weeks.

Major Upgrades: A New Big Screen for New Road

In 2025, we’re investing significantly in our facilities and planning to install a new big-screen scoreboard at Visit Worcestershire New Road. The current scoreboard on the Graeme Hick Pavilion side has served us well but is now outdated and unserviceable. The new scoreboard will be placed in front of the Multi-Faith and Quiet Room and will be transportable, allowing us to use it at outgrounds if needed.

This new screen isn’t just a replacement; it’s an upgrade that will enhance your matchday experience with the potential for replays and more detailed information displays. You may have noticed some trial runs during the last One Day Cup fixtures, and we’re excited to bring these improvements to life next season.

Enhanced Hospitality: Introducing the Tipi

Building on the success of our premium hospitality offerings, we’re excited to introduce a new Tipi on the right-hand side of the Basil D’Oliveira Stand. This addition will expand our premium ticketing options during white-ball cricket, offering visitors a unique and intimate experience.

Our BEARD Terrace, introduced last year, has been a hit with both members and guests, and we’re confident the Tipi will be just as popular. The growth in hospitality sales has been a significant revenue stream for the Club, and we’re eager to continue this trend to support the future of Worcestershire Cricket and help keep membership fees at a minimum.

Additionally, the BEARD Terrace has become a sought-after venue for private events, with members enjoying exclusive discounts. Consider booking this fantastic space if you have a special occasion.

Investing In Infrastructure:

We’re making significant investments to enhance our infrastructure, including purchasing of the transportable big screen and the Tipi marquee in addition to generators, LED boards, folding chairs, mobile bars, and food vans. These upgrades will improve the experience for supporters should we play men’s or women’s cricket at outgrounds and help us save on the costs of hiring equipment.

Moreover, these assets will benefit us at Visit Worcestershire New Road, allowing us to generate additional revenue and provide top-quality facilities. Many of these items will also be available for hire through our new Black Pear Hire initiative, offering grassroots clubs across Worcestershire the chance to host income-generating events with professional-grade equipment at a reduced cost.

New Website and Digital Enhancements

This winter, we’ll be working on a brand-new website for the Club. Our goal is to make it easier for you to find the information you need quickly and efficiently. We’ve been tracking user activity on our current site to identify areas for improvement, and we’re committed to delivering a website that meets your needs.

To ensure we get this right, we’re forming a working group that will include a cross-section of our supporters. We value your input and encourage anyone interested to participate. Details on how to join this group will be shared soon.

“We’re always striving to enhance the experience for our members and supporters. 

“The improvements we’re rolling out for the 2025 season, from additional member-only facilities to the new big screen and the expanded hospitality options, reflect our commitment to providing exceptional value and a memorable matchday experience. 

“We’re particularly excited about the new Tipi and the upcoming website redesign, which will bring fresh opportunities for engagement and enjoyment. 

“These developments are all about making sure that our members feel valued and that the Club continues to thrive, both on and off the field.” 

Worcestershire’s Head of Commercial & Partnerships, Joe Tromans

Key Points Summary:

Membership On Sale: On 4th October, with an enhanced early bird bonus of £5.
Membership Cards: Will be with all members a maximum of two weeks following payment of fees.
Seating Changes: Reserved seating only required for the Vitality Blast fixture against Birmingham Bears.
Sports Bar Access: Exclusively for members during Vitality Blast matches.
New Big Screen: A portable scoreboard will be installed, enhancing the matchday experience with potential replays.
Tipi Hospitality: A new premium hospitality option is to be added to the right side of Basil D’Oliveira Stand.
Infrastructure Investments: Upgrades to infrastructure, with new equipment available for hire for local clubs.
New Website: A redesigned website is in the works, with a supporter working group to help guide development.