Ireland to Host India for T20 Series at Stormont as Cricket Fever Grips Belfast
The Ireland men's cricket team will host India for a two-match T20 International series at the Civil Service Cricket Club ground at Stormont in Belfast on Friday, 26 June, and Sunday, 28 June — a fixture that is expected to draw the largest cricket crowds seen in Northern Ireland for years and that will provide Ireland's players with the opportunity to test themselves against the world's most powerful cricketing nation on home soil.
Background
Ireland's journey to Full Member status of the International Cricket Council in 2017 was one of the most remarkable stories in world cricket — a small island nation, better known for Gaelic games and rugby, earning the right to play Test cricket against the established powers of the game. The years since have been a period of consolidation and growth, with Ireland competing in Test matches, ODIs, and T20 Internationals against the full range of ICC members and gradually building the infrastructure, player development pathways, and commercial base needed to sustain a professional cricket programme.
The Stormont ground, set in the grounds of the Northern Ireland Assembly building in east Belfast, is one of the most distinctive cricket venues in the world — a ground where the backdrop of the Parliament Buildings provides a setting unlike anything else in the sport. It has hosted international cricket on a number of occasions and has developed a loyal and enthusiastic following among Belfast's cricket community, which has grown significantly since Ireland's elevation to Full Member status.
India are the most powerful force in world cricket, both on the field and commercially. Their T20 team, packed with players from the Indian Premier League, is among the most formidable in the world, and their visit to Belfast will generate global media attention and a level of commercial interest that is unprecedented for Irish cricket.
Key Developments
The two-match T20 series is scheduled for 26 and 28 June, with both matches to be played at Stormont. Cricket Ireland has confirmed that tickets for both matches have been in high demand, with the ground expected to be at or near capacity for both fixtures. The series will be broadcast live on television and streamed online, giving Irish cricket a global audience that will include the enormous Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.
Ireland's T20 squad for the series is expected to be announced in the coming days, with captain Paul Stirling leading a group that will include several players who have gained experience in franchise T20 competitions around the world. The series provides an opportunity for Ireland's younger players to demonstrate their quality against the highest level of opposition, and Cricket Ireland's selectors will be watching closely for performances that could influence selection for the upcoming ICC events. The India series follows Ireland's home Test match against New Zealand in May and precedes a five-match ODI series against Afghanistan in August.
Why It Matters
The India T20 series matters for Irish cricket on multiple levels. Commercially, it is the most significant home fixture in the sport's history in Ireland — the revenue generated from ticket sales, broadcasting rights, and sponsorship will provide a significant boost to Cricket Ireland's finances and will help to fund the development programmes that are producing the next generation of Irish players. The profile of the series will also attract new fans to the sport, particularly among the South Asian communities in Belfast and Dublin who have not previously had the opportunity to watch India play in Ireland.
On the field, the series is a genuine test of where Ireland's T20 programme stands. India's T20 team is ranked among the top three in the world, and any competitive performance by Ireland — let alone a victory — would be a significant statement of the progress the programme has made. Ireland have beaten India in limited-overs cricket before, most famously in the 2007 World Cup, and the memory of that achievement will provide motivation for the current squad. The series also matters for the broader development of cricket in Northern Ireland, with the Stormont ground serving as a focal point for the sport in the north.
Local Impact
In Belfast, the India series has already generated significant excitement, with local cricket clubs reporting increased interest from young players and families. The Civil Service Cricket Club, which hosts the Stormont ground, has been working with Cricket Ireland and local schools to maximise the community benefit of the series, including outreach programmes in schools across east and north Belfast. The series will also have a positive economic impact on the local hospitality sector, with hotels, restaurants, and bars in the Stormont area and across east Belfast expecting strong business from visiting supporters. The Indian community in Belfast — which has grown significantly in recent years — will be particularly well represented at both matches.
What's Next
Cricket Ireland will announce the full squad for the India series in the coming days, along with details of the broadcast arrangements and any remaining ticket availability. The first match on 26 June will be followed by a rest day on 27 June before the second match on 28 June. After the India series, Ireland's attention will turn to the Afghanistan ODI series in August, which will provide further opportunities for players to stake their claims for ICC tournament selection later in the year.
