Sir Vivian Richards Stadium: The Premier International Cricket Venue
The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium stands as Antigua's primary cricket venue for international matches. Located in North Sound, Saint George, approximately 15-20 minutes from the capital city St. John's and close to V.C. Bird International Airport, this modern facility represents the current face of Antiguan cricket.
Built specifically for the 2007 Cricket World Cup at a cost of approximately US$60 million, with funding primarily from the Chinese Government, the stadium has a standard capacity of 10,000 spectators, though temporary seating can double this to 20,000 for major events. The venue is named after Sir Vivian Richards, one of cricket's greatest legends and Antigua's most celebrated sporting son.
The stadium features two main stands: the Northern Stand and the impressive five-story South Stand that houses the pavilion, corporate suites, and media facilities. Additional amenities include practice pitches, training infrastructure, underground passageways for teams, and modern media centers. In 2015, the north and south ends were renamed the Andy Roberts End and Curtly Ambrose End respectively, honoring two other Antiguan cricket legends.
The venue has hoste 29 ODIs, and numerous T20 internationals. The venue gained international attention in 2009 when a Test match between West Indies and England was abandoned after just ten balls due to dangerous sandy outfield conditions, earning it the nickname "Beach 366" (referencing Antigua's claim of having 365 beaches). However, the facility has since been improved and regularly hosts international cricket.
Most recently, the stadium served as a key venue for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, hosting eight matches including group stage and Super 8 encounters. The venue has proven particularly suitable for T20 cricket, with South Africa recording the highest total of 194/4 against the USA during the 2024 World Cup.
Antigua Recreation Ground: The Historic Heart of Caribbean Cricket
The Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG), also known as the "Old Recreation Ground" or simply the "Old Rec," holds an unparalleled place in cricket history. Located in the heart of St. John's, this venue was Antigua's Test cricket home from 1981 to 2009 and witnessed some of the most iconic moments in cricket history.
With a capacity of approximately 9,000-12,000 spectators, the ARG became cricket's 52nd Test venue when it hosted England in 1980-81, marked by a century from local hero Viv Richards. The ground's intimate atmosphere, enhanced by the famous Double Decker stand where "Chicky's Disco" provided music and entertainers like "Gravy" led the crowd celebrations, made it one of the most atmospheric venues in world cricket.
The ARG is forever associated with Brian Lara's record-breaking performances. In 1994, Lara scored 375 runs against England, breaking Gary Sobers' 36-year-old record. Ten years later, at the same venue, Lara reclaimed the world record by scoring an unprecedented 400 not out, becoming the first player to regain the highest Test score record. This innings, featuring 43 fours and 4 sixes, remains one of cricket's greatest individual achievements.
Other historic moments at the ARG include the West Indies' remarkable chase of 418/7 against Australia in 2003, which stood as the highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test cricket history. The venue was known for its "featherbed" wickets - hard, dry surfaces that favored batsmen while offering little assistance to bowlers.
Following the construction of the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the ARG hosted its final Test match in February 2009. Today, the ground remains accessible to visitors and serves as a pilgrimage site for cricket fans, though it has fallen into disrepair. The honor boards displaying centuries and five-wicket hauls remain intact, serving as a testament to its glorious past.
Coolidge Cricket Ground: The Controversial Third Venue
The Coolidge Cricket Ground, originally known as the Airport Cricket Ground and later the Stanford Cricket Ground, represents one of cricket's more controversial chapters. Located in Osbourn, Saint George Parish, near the airport, this facility has a capacity of approximately 5,000 spectators.
The ground was initially developed by American businessman Allen Stanford in 2004, who rebuilt and expanded the venue to promote his Twenty20 tournaments. During Stanford's ownership, the facility hosted the Stanford 20/20 tournaments in 2006 and 2008, as well as the infamous England vs Stanford Superstars match in 2008 for a $20 million prize. The venue featured improved player facilities, media amenities, and a grandstand, making it one of the better-equipped cricket grounds in the Caribbean.
However, Stanford's conviction for fraud and multiple violations of US securities laws in 2012, resulting in a 110-year prison sentence, led to the ground's abandonment for eight years. The stadium was eventually acquired through a joint venture between Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Government of Antigua & Barbuda in 2017, with the purchase agreement executed in 2020.
Renamed the Coolidge Cricket Ground in 2016-17, the venue resumed hosting cricket matches and became the newest ICC-accredited international cricket venue on February 15, 2021. The facility now serves as the hub of Cricket West Indies' High-Performance Player Development System and CWI's corporate home. Recent developments include hosting international matches during Sri Lanka's tour of the West Indies in 2021, where Kieron Pollard achieved the rare feat of hitting six sixes in an over.
The ground is being developed into a world-class High-Performance Academy and multi-purpose events center, with a sustainable master plan approved in 2023. This transformation represents Antigua's commitment to cricket development and infrastructure improvement.
Comparative Analysis and Tourism Significance
Each of Antigua's three cricket venues represents a different era and aspect of the island's cricket heritage. The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium embodies modern international cricket standards with its world-class facilities and capacity to host major tournaments. Despite initial challenges with the playing surface, it has established itself as a reliable venue for international cricket across all formats.
The Antigua Recreation Ground remains the emotional and historical heart of Antiguan cricket. While no longer hosting international matches, its significance as the birthplace of numerous cricket records and memorable moments makes it an essential destination for cricket tourism. The venue's central location in St. John's and free accessibility make it popular with cricket pilgrims.
The Coolidge Cricket Ground represents cricket's commercial evolution and resilience. Its transformation from controversy to respectability illustrates the sport's ability to overcome challenges and rebuild for the future.
For cricket tourism, Antigua offers a unique proposition with three distinct cricket venues within a small geographical area. Specialized cricket tours are available that include visits to all three grounds, meetings with cricket legends like Curtly Ambrose, Andy Roberts, Richie Richardson, and potentially Sir Vivian Richards himself. These tours provide intimate access to cricket history and the opportunity to walk on the same grounds where legends created history.
The island's cricket infrastructure, combined with its 365 beaches and year-round tropical climate, makes it an attractive destination for cricket-focused tourism. The proximity of all venues to St. John's and the international airport enhances accessibility for international visitors.
Antigua's cricket stadiums collectively tell the story of Caribbean cricket - from the intimate, passionate atmosphere of the Recreation Ground through the commercial ambitions of the Stanford era to the modern international standards of the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Each venue contributes to the island's identity as a crucial cricket destination in the West Indies, maintaining Antigua's position as a significant contributor to the sport's global heritage.
