Futuristic eco cricket ground in Spain eyes Test match
Australian entrepreneur Daniel Weston hopes Campo Maximo, a cricket ground under construction on Spain’s Costa Blanca, could one day host a Test match. The project aims to combine high-profile cricket with environmentally focused design, and could help establish Spain as a European cricket destination.
The venue near Alicante is planned to open in 2028, with full operations the following year and an initial capacity of 1,000 spectators. Its design includes a trial artificial outfield intended to reduce maintenance, solar panels over the car park and large underground rainwater tanks; modular stands could allow the ground to expand. Weston is also considering a clay-based pitch, while English counties already use another Spanish ground for pre-season cricket.
In short
- Campo Maximo is being built on Spain’s Costa Blanca.
- Weston hopes it could host Test cricket one day.
- Solar power and rainwater storage are central to its design.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Campo Maximo could give cricket a lasting foothold in Spain while bringing the sport to new audiences and creating a venue for international matches. Its solar power, rainwater storage and low-maintenance outfield could also show how a ground can limit resource use, with modular stands allowing capacity to grow if demand develops.
The case against
The project is still under construction, and its plans for capacity, sustainability and elite cricket have yet to be proven in practice. A Test match requires substantial facilities, investment and a strong cricketing base, so prioritising that ambition could risk overbuilding or diverting resources from more immediate needs such as developing local players and audiences.
Cricket Environment Europe Science Sport World