MCC reveal date of 2026 National Village Cup final

Entries are still being welcomed for the annual tournament, which concludes with a dream final at Lord's for two village clubs

MCC have announced the date of the 2026 National Village Cup final.

This year’s final will be held at Lord's on Sunday, September 6.

Around 400 village cricket clubs across England, Scotland and Wales are set to compete for a place in the final, which has been held annually at the Home of Cricket since The Cricketer launched the tournament in 1972.

Entries are still being welcomed for this year's competition, open to clubs representing villages with populations of up to 15,000, before the February 1 deadline. The entry form can be submitted here.

Last year's final was won by defending champions Foxton Granta, from Cambridgeshire, who beat Cheshire club Stayley by 145 runs.

Huw Turbervill, editor of The Cricketer, said: "The Village Cup final is one of my favourite 'work' days in the year. I can only imagine how thrilling it must be for those 22 village cricketers.

"MCC's hospitality is amazing. Lord's opens up - how often do you get to walk on the sacred grass and inspect the middle?

"It is nice and early this year as well, so the weather should be good. I'm very much looking forward to it."

Rob Lynch, MCC director of cricket, added: "The National Village Cup final is always a fantastic occasion at Lord's.

"It is great to think of the thousands of village cricketers who will be taking a break from shadow batting this January morning to mark Sunday, September 6, as the day they hope to travel to London and represent their village on the Main Ground at Lord's."