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Edgbaston welcomed 135,000 fans over six days of Men’s and Women’s Ashes cricket, a record attendance for the stadium.
For the first time in club’s history, all five days of the Men’s Ashes sold out, with almost 20,000 attending the Women’s Ashes International T20 last weekend.
The 19,527 figure also broke the record for the highest crowd for a standalone women’s international in the UK, outside of global events, beating the 15,187 that attended Lord’s to watch England’s One Day International (ODI) against India last summer.
However, over 20,000 watched last night’s (Wednesday) England win against Australia at The Oval to keep the team’s Ashes hopes alive, breaking the new record.
The third IT20 will also be played in London at Lord’s on Saturday, while the first ODI will take place at Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium on July 12.
And the support will continue for the women, with a sold-out crowd of 12,000 for the second ODI at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton on July 16. The Women’s Ashes will conclude with the third ODI at The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton on July 18.
Australia Women currently lead the Ashes 6-2 after winning the Test match at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge last month, followed by the first IT20 at Edgbaston last week. England clawed two points back with a win at The Oval last night.
England Men currently trail 2-0 in the Ashes series, with the third Test match getting underway today (Thursday) at Headingley in Leeds.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently confirmed that Edgbaston will host major international fixtures for the next eight years, including an Ashes Test in 2027 and Test matches against India in 2025 and 2029. Fans will also be able to watch England Men’s and Women’s IT20s against Pakistan next year at Edgbaston, plus a first Test visit from the West Indies since 2017.
Chief executive Stuart Cain said: “People have known for some time our ability to put on great sporting occasions and days out and that reputation on the global stage has been enhanced following sell-out crowds for the Ashes.
“The Women’s Ashes IT20 was a highlight for me and another milestone in the exponential rise of women’s cricket on the back of the Commonwealth Games here, plus The Hundred which has done wonders for the women’s game.
“I’m already looking forward to watching England Women play Pakistan here next May to kick start our 2024 international calendar.”
He added: “Our plans to redevelop the Raglan Stand to incorporate a hotel are progressing and we hope to announce an update soon, plus our new Skyline hospitality space on the fourth floor of the South Stand was enjoyed by 1,000 people during the Men’s Ashes.”
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