Toyota ignites 2026 cricket season with major grassroots funding and initiatives

• Toyota has launched its ‘Good For Cricket’ prize draw, pledging more than £200,000 in prizes to help clubs raise vital funds for equipment, kits, coaches and facilities
• This marks the start of the second year of Toyota’s Principal Partnership to the ECB*, and as Automotive Partner to Cricket Ireland and Cricket Scotland, with a continued commitment fostering the growth of grassroots participation nationwide, encompassing all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
• To kick off the 2026 cricket season, more than 1,800 clubs took part in ECB’s Get Set Weekend (28-29 March) to help prepare the grounds and reconnect communities ahead of the coming season
• Beyond the pitch, Toyota continues to make cricket more accessible through the funding of thousands of All Stars bursaries and dedicated support for the disability game, alongside the appointment of Joanna Lumley as Chief Cricket Officer to encourage more people to participate in the sport

Toyota has reaffirmed its commitment to the future of cricket by launching the second year of its Good For Cricket Prize Draw, offering a prize pool valued at more than £200,000 to support clubs in raising much needed funds for equipment, kit, coaches and facilities.

Following a debut year that raised in excess of £290,000 for more than 700 clubs, Toyota’s Good For Cricket Prize Draw returns in 2026 with the aim of helping clubs across the UK collectively raise £500,000.

Club sign-up to the draw is free. They will then receive a dedicated fundraising webpage on the Prize Draw platform where they can personalise their club story and fund-raising aim. Their supporters and the local community can then purchase prize draw tickets to raise funds for the club, while incentivised by Toyota’s £200,000+ prize pool which includes: –

• Three brand-new Toyota vehicles: the all-new Aygo X Hybrid, RAV4 and Toyota C-HR+ all-electric SUV
• Money-can’t-buy experiences: exclusive hospitality packages and masterclasses led by international players and professional coaches
• And more: including hospitality experiences, tickets and other great prizes

To ensure every penny raised goes directly towards strengthening local teams, improving facilities and securing the future of cricket in the local community, participating clubs will receive 100 per cent of the proceeds from ticket sales.

India Newman, a volunteer at St Albans Cricket club commented: “It is so important to have these vital funds put back into the club. Whether it’s for new equipment or replacing sight screens, these are the essentials that make a cricket club a special place to be. This support ensures everyone is able to enjoy the club and its facilities to the fullest.”

Marking the launch of the Toyota Good for Cricket Prize Draw, ECB’s Get Set Weekend saw a huge nationwide push to get clubs ready for the 2026 season. With Toyota as Title Partner, more than 39,500 participants from 1,800 clubs rolled up their sleeves to prepare grounds and facilities for the months ahead. From tidying pavilions and repairing equipment to bringing local communities together, the weekend celebrated the shared effort that keeps grassroots cricket thriving and ensures clubs are ready to welcome players this summer.

More than 75 Toyota dealerships nationwide supported Get Set Weekend, helping clubs across the country prepare their pitches ahead of the season. Three England international players, Lauren Bell, Issy Wong and Sam Curran, also made a surprise appearance at St Albans Cricket Club, supporting the club across the Get Set Weekend.

Lauren Bell, England Women’s cricketer commented: “Get Set Weekend is a great initiative. I remember helping my dad at the cricket club when I was younger, and it always brought everyone together. It really kicks off the excitement for the summer and helps clubs get everything in place to start playing outdoors again, which is what everyone’s been working toward all winter.”

Luigi Ksawery Luca’, President and Managing Director at Toyota, commented:“As we enter our second year as Principal Partner to the ECB and Automotive Partner to Cricket Ireland and Cricket Scotland, we are more committed than ever to grassroots cricket and making cricket a game where everyone belongs. From supporting ECB’s Get Set Weekend to re-launching our Good For Cricket Prize draw, where clubs keep every penny they raise, our focus remains on growing the game and providing tangible support to the people that make this sport great. We’re proud to be part of the ECB’s commitment to helping the next generation of players, volunteers and fans thrive and are looking forward to the coming summer of cricket.”

Leshia Hawkins, ECB Managing Director, Recreational Game, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Toyota for their continued support in championing the grassroots game. The Good For Cricket Prize Draw benefited hundreds of clubs last year and their support for Get Set Weekend contributed to more than 39,500 volunteers supporting over 1,800 clubs, which is extraordinary. It is a powerful reminder that cricket simply wouldn’t happen without the people who give their time, energy and passion to their local communities.”

Mobility for All: championing an Inclusive game

As Principal Partner of the ECB and Automotive Partner of Cricket Ireland and Cricket Scotland, Toyota keeps its focus on continuing to grow cricket from the ground up, driven by its ‘Mobility for All’mission and a commitment to transforming cricket into the UK’s most inclusive team sport.

• For the second year running, Toyota is investing in junior cricket programmes, funding thousands of free bursary places for the ECB’s All Stars Cricket and Cricket Ireland’s ‘Smash It’ programme, ensuring children from all backgrounds can access the sport.
• Toyota recently appointed national icon and long-term cricket fan Joanna Lumley as Chief Cricket Officer, with the goal of bringing cricket to new audiences and encouraging people of all ages and abilities to engage with the game by playing or watching.
• Toyota is strengthening its role as the Official Champion of Disability Cricket and Title Partner of the Disability Premier League (DPL), supporting England’s national disability teams and driving the growth of Disability Champion Clubs nationwide.

These initiatives are launched ahead of a landmark summer of cricket, including the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup hosted in England and Wales; a landmark first-ever Women’s Test match at Lord’s against India; an England Men’s test series against New Zealand and Pakistan and England Men’s One Day International and T20 Series against India.

To find out more visit www.toyota.co.uk/cricket.

*England and Wales Cricket Board

ENDS

Notes to Editors: for further information, please contact toyota@hopeandglorypr.com