An unveiling of what is now known as the AO Farington Cricket ground took place on Thursday 9 July.
Dame Sarah Storey and South Ribble MP Paul Foster were among those at the launch event for the new ground and pavilion.
The first competitive fixtures are due to take place later this month with two One Day cup games for Lancashire’s men’s team.
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AO have agreed a ten-year partnership that aims to help over 150,000 young people get into cricket over the next decade.
John Roberts, founder and chief executive of AO, said: “I’ve spent over 30 years backing young people across the UK, so this partnership means a great deal to me personally.
“Through our support for grassroots sport, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of young people get involved and build the confidence, teamwork and life skills that sport brings.
“Our partnership with Lancashire Cricket over the past decade has shown just how powerful that impact can be and committing to a ten-year partnership isn’t a one-off gesture, it’s about giving Lancashire Cricket the certainty to plan for the long term, so today’s young people, and the generations after them, have a facility that backs their potential.”
The new ground includes two cricket ovals, one to be used as a professional ground for men’s and women’s competitive fixtures, and the other as a community hub for recreational and youth games.
At the launch event, Mark Chilton, director of cricket performance at Lancashire Cricket, told Blog Preston: “It’s better than I even expected,
“It’s got a great feel to it, it’s a super space and it’s going to create so much opportunity for lots of people.
“It’s an elite facility that people will have access to,
“So for people in the local community, we’re hoping that they will want to get engaged and local schools will want to come down and see it,
“We’re hoping it will be a huge factor in enticing people to try the sport.”
The Farington ground will act as a secondary stadium for Lancashire County Cricket Club, behind the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.
Paul Foster, MP for South Ribble Borough Council, told Blog Preston: “It’s a massive opportunity for the young people of South Ribble because there’s no better facility than this in the North West of England.
“When I arrived, the secondary community pitch was just full of boys and girls playing cricket, having fun and being healthy.
“We are so lucky to have this in the heart of Farington.
“This facility is state of the art and you’ll not find a cricket facility, I don’t think, like this anywhere in the country.
“So, it’s going to drag the stars in, and when it does, it’s going to drag the young people in and it’s just great.”
Watch the official unveiling and hear from Lancashire Cricket and MP Paul Foster or watch on YouTube
Before becoming the name sponsor of the ground, AO has already sponsored the club’s talent pathway since 2023 from grassroots to professional level.
Lancashire bowler Tom Bailey said: “As someone who grew up just a few miles down the road in Preston, it’s really special to see Lancashire Cricket creating something that will have such a positive impact on the local community.
“I came through the Club’s pathway after playing grassroots cricket locally at Vernon Carus Cricket Club, so I know first-hand how important local facilities and opportunities are for young cricketers.
“If I’d had something like this growing up, it would have been incredible. Young players from Preston, South Ribble and the surrounding area will be able to play on the Community Oval, watch Lancashire players in action, and hopefully be inspired to follow the pathway into professional cricket.”
The venue is expected to provide more than 750 hours of community cricket activity annually, delivered by the Lancashire Cricket Foundation.
Commercial director at Lancashire Cricket, Angela Hodson, said: “We are so excited to have AO on board as the naming rights partner of Farington.
“We share the same values and that alignment makes this more than just a commercial partnership.
“A decade of investment is a real statement of intent. This is a ground that is built for every level of the game, from elite performance to community participation, and having AO’s name attached to it speaks to the ambition and values we both bring to the project.
“We look forward to working together to maximise its impact over the next 10 years.”
Representatives from the Reform-led Lancashire County Council including deputy leader Simon Evans – who have hailed the Farington development as a crucial part of putting the county on the map and been involved in the construction and planning process – were present but refused to speak to the media when asked.
