Cricket Ireland's new stadium at Abbottstown is on schedule to host matches at the 2030 T20 World Cup, according to CEO Sarah Keane. The Dublin venue will feature 4,240 permanent seats with temporary stands boosting capacity to 12,000 for major tournaments. Government funding through Sport Ireland and the Department of Sport is driving the project forward, despite minor design delays with architects Faulkner Browns.

Construction firm John Sisk has been named preferred tender, with work beginning on the playing surface this autumn to allow grass time to establish before 2029 testing. The facility will operate in two phases, with seating, a high-performance centre and pavilion completed first. Cricket Ireland officials studied Hagley Oval and Hampshire's Utilita Bowl during the design process, aiming to create a venue that matches Ireland's world-class sporting ambitions.

Currently, Ireland's international teams rely on temporary infrastructure at Malahide, Clontarf, Stormont and Bready, which costs significant resources. Keane believes the permanent stadium will transform operations across all levels, from international to grassroots cricket. A white-ball series against England is tentatively scheduled as the opening international fixtures in summer 2029.

The venue will be shared with other sports to ensure year-round usage, addressing concerns about seasonal underutilization. Meanwhile, Ireland's upcoming T20 series against India at Stormont remains capped at 4,500 spectators despite sell-out crowds, highlighting the urgent need for dedicated cricket infrastructure. The project represents a fundamental shift in how Irish cricket operates and presents the sport on the world stage.