As an incredible year at Lord’s draws to a close, MCC is excited to announce new records have been set in its 2026 international ballot, receiving over 1 million ticket applications.

These tickets have been applied for by a record 140,000 unique applicants, looking to attend England’s Rothesay Men’s Test Matches against New Zealand and Pakistan, the Women’s Rothesay Test Match between England and India – the first time a women’s Test will take place at Lord’s – and the Metro Bank Men’s One-Day International between England and India.

MCC is also thrilled to be able to reveal several attendance milestones that confirm it as one of the biggest years yet at the Home of Cricket.

566,000 spectators made their way through the gates at Lord’s, the highest since records began, 41,000 more than during the 2024 Ashes season. 

Four out of six formats – the Vitality Blast, The Hundred, One-Day Cup and the Women’s International, saw an increase in attendances year-on-year. Ahead of a milestone year in 2026 for women’s international cricket at Lord’s, there was a record high of returning spectators for a women’s international (25%) when England faced India in the Metro Bank One-Day International series, with over 18,000 tickets sold.

Next year, the Ground will host more women’s internationals in one summer than ever before, with four ICC Women’s T20 World Cup fixtures, including the final, and a first Women’s Test, 50 years on from when Rachael Heyhoe Flint led England women out at Lord’s for the first time.

Those who entered the ballot this time around have the chance to be part of a record-breaking crowd once more in 2026. Notifications will be sent to registrants before Thursday 4 December, and the date for general tickets to go on sale is a week later, on Thursday 11 December.

With a celebration of women’s cricket in the shape of England’s first Test at Lord’s, and another mouthwatering summer of men’s international cricket, we can’t wait to welcome you to the Home of Cricket in 2026.