Construction is officially underway on a pioneering, environmentally sustainable cricket venue located near Alicante on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Spearheaded by Australian entrepreneur Daniel Weston, the ambitious project named Campo Maximo aims to establish itself as a premier destination for European cricket while harbouring grand ambitions to stage elite international fixtures, including Test matches.
The facility in Playa Flamenca is designed to be fully operational by 2029, with the first matches anticipated in 2028. Weston envisions the venue not only as a hub for the sport in continental Europe but also as a potential future stop for touring global franchise leagues, such as the Indian Premier League, as the sport expands its international footprint.
Innovative Design and Sustainable Technology
Campo Maximo is engineered with a heavy focus on environmental sustainability and modern technological advancements. The project incorporates extensive renewable energy systems and advanced water conservation measures tailored to the regional climate.
- The venue features roughly 4,600 square metres of solar panels installed above the parking area, connected to battery storage units to power stadium floodlights.
- Underground storage tanks with a 100,000 cubic metre capacity are integrated beneath the field to harvest and manage rainwater efficiently.
- The ground will utilize a novel artificial outfield designed without loose granular infill, aiming to replicate the natural playing and bouncing characteristics of grass while drastically lowering maintenance needs.
- Initial seating capacity is set at 1,000 spectators, with modular architectural planning allowing for rapid expansion through temporary and semi-permanent seating structures.
Pathways to International Cricket
While Spain is currently represented by Cricket Espana as an Associate member of the International Cricket Council, global governing body regulations do not explicitly prohibit Associate nations from hosting Test matches, provided venues meet stringent international standards. Although the venue plans to utilize an innovative 100 percent synthetic outfield rather than traditional turf, neither the ICC guidelines nor the Laws of Cricket overseen by the Marylebone Cricket Club strictly mandate natural grass outfields, provided player safety standards are fully satisfied. Pre-season fixtures and county matches held elsewhere in Spain have already demonstrated the region’s growing viability as a functional cricket hub.
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