The Kia Oval - fun for all the family!
Residents of Elephant & Castle are surrounded by sporting and cultural centres of international renown, none more so than the legendary Kia Oval. This world-famous cricket ground is a longstanding fixture of the local community, and continues to colour the area with its vibrant, friendly crowds.
- 31 Jan 2023
Located within 100 metres of the Oval tube station, the ground is just two easy stops down the Northern Line from Elephant & Castle - or just over a mile if a gentle stroll takes your fancy. With cricket to watch from April to September, and all kinds of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, there’s truly nowhere better to spend a sunny summer afternoon.
How old is the Oval cricket ground?
The Kia Oval has a rich and storied history. It was first opened in 1845 and has been the home of Surrey County Cricket Club ever since. The stadium was built upon land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, who retains ownership of the freehold to this day - so you could say that Prince William is the landlord. Hopefully he’s not too hard to get a hold of if there’s a leaky pipe!
In 1868, the Oval was the first English ground to host a team from overseas, when an Aboriginal Australian XI faced off against England in front of 20,000 enthusiastic onlookers. A few years later, the first international match to be held on English shores took place at the Oval, which saw England defeat Australia in September 1880. When the touring Australians reversed this defeat at the same venue in 1882, the legend of ‘The Ashes’ was born.
The history of this celebrated ground extends even beyond the boundaries of cricket. The first ever international football match was played at the Oval in 1870, as England took on local rivals Scotland. Similarly, the very first FA Cup final was held at Kensington’s own Oval in 1872, as were England’s first international rugby fixtures against Wales and Scotland 1876. More recently, the Oval became the unofficial headquarters of London-based Caribbean cricket lovers in the 1970s and 80s, when the West Indian team dominated the sport.
Who plays cricket at the Oval?
Whether you’re a lifelong cricket fan or a newcomer to the game, the Kia Oval has something for everyone to enjoy. For the initiated, how better to while away the golden summery days than savouring the ebbs and flows of a first-class match? Played over 4 or 5 days (yes, really!) this is the perfect format for a relaxing day of ice creams, afternoon teas, and gentle naps - how sophisticated!
For those seeking a little more excitement, matches from the Vitality T20 Blast, or the brand new Hundred competition, are sure to get the adrenaline pumping. Three hours from start to finish, these games are played to a lively sold out crowd and are enhanced with all manner of extracurricular additions - think live music, crowd participation, and no small measure of pyrotechnics. Families are very much welcomed, and alcohol-free ‘Family Zone’ seating is available if preferred.
With both England’s men’s and women’s teams set to play at the Kia Oval in the summer of 2023, plus plenty of Surrey games - not to mention the Oval-based London Invincibles team - there’s no better time than now to get your tickets. Whether you’re meeting up with the boys, heading down with the office crowd, catching up with the girls, or having a day out with the whole family, you’re guaranteed to leave the Kia Oval with a smile on your face!
If you’re a sports fan in Elephant & Castle, take a look at our blog on where to watch the Six Nations in London to discover some of the best sports pubs in the area.