Spain’s futuristic cricket ground sets sights on Tests and IPL
A new home for cricket on Spain’s Costa Blanca
A cricket stadium under construction near Alicante is being designed with ambitions that extend well beyond the sport’s current footprint in Spain. Australian entrepreneur Daniel Weston wants Campo Maximo, at Playa Flamenca, to become a hub for European cricket—and one day host a Test match.
“I’d love a Test match to be held there,” Weston told the BBC’s Stumped podcast. He also suggested the Indian Premier League could eventually take matches on tour, adding that Spain might one day be a destination.
Artificial outfield designed for cricket
The project’s most distinctive feature will be a purpose-built artificial outfield, currently undergoing testing. Weston describes it as a short-pile synthetic surface without loose granular infill, laid over an elastic pad and engineered drainage layers. The aim is to reproduce the feel and playing characteristics of natural grass while reducing upkeep and eliminating the need for fertiliser.
Weston says testing includes bowlers wearing spikes and simulating fast-bowling foot strikes. He expects the surface to offer consistent footing and prevent dips and waterlogged patches. Floodlights are also planned, allowing matches to be played at night and, in Weston’s words, potentially making cricket possible “365 days and nights a year”.
Solar power and water storage built into the plans
Sustainability is central to the design. The venue is planned to include about 4,600 square metres of solar panels above the car park, with battery storage intended to power facilities including the floodlights. The plans also call for large underground tanks to collect and store water, an important consideration in a region where water sustainability is a concern.
Campo Maximo is expected to begin hosting cricket in 2028, with full operations planned for the following year. Its initial capacity will be 1,000 spectators, with modular temporary or semi-permanent stands allowing expansion. Weston is finalising plans for a nine-pitch square and favours a clay-based pitch, reflecting his upbringing in Perth.
Major international cricket would require approval
A Test in Spain is not ruled out by the sport’s governing framework, but Campo Maximo would need to satisfy the International Cricket Council’s venue requirements before it could host a major international. The BBC reports that ICC rules allow hybrid turf-and-fibre outfields and do not specifically prohibit a fully artificial outfield. The surface would still need to demonstrate that it is safe for players.
Spain’s Cricket Espana is an ICC Associate member. The ground’s first challenge will be to establish itself as a reliable venue; Weston’s longer-term goal is to bring the highest levels of cricket to the Costa Blanca.