We welcome fans to Banks Homes Riverside tomorrow for Vitality Blast action as Durham take on Birmingham Bears and Derbyshire Falcons with both men and women in action.
We are keen that all the spectators have an amazing experience at the games and the following guide is designed to give you everything you need to know ahead of your visit.
If you still have any queries after reading the guide please do not hesitate to contact the Club via box.office@durhamcricket.co.uk
PART 1 – BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
TICKETS AND MEMBERSHIP
Tickets can be bought in advance from the box office at £20.00 for adults & £5 for juniors. Click here to buy online.
Tickets can also be bought on the gate for £25 adults and £5 juniors.
If you have anything to collect on the day – tickets, Membership Cards and T20 Season Ticket Cards – they can be picked up from the COLLECTIONS ONLY window at Gate 2.
HOW TO GET TO BANKS HOME RIVERSIDE
Click here for a full guide on ways you can get to the Banks Homes Riverside.
The arrangements for parking at the ground are outlined below, and parking is also available in other car parks in Chester-le-Street and these are included in the guide.
PLEASE NOTE – a number of streets around the ground are Residents Only parking and these are indicated by large yellow signs on the entrance to the streets. Please do not park in any of these areas as you may be liable to enforcement notices.
PARKING AT THE GROUND – BUY YOUR ADVANCE PASSES
Car Parking passes are now available for all of Durham’s home T20 Blast fixtures. Car Parking passes can be purchased in advance for £5 – click here. Blue Badge parking is also available in advance for £5 – click here. Please make sure you have your Blue Badge on display, in addition to your pre-purchased parking pass, and you will receive priority parking at the front of the car park opposite Bannatyne Health Club. This then involves a short walk to the turnstiles at Gate 2.
Advanced purchases of car parking passes can be printed at home after purchase and must be displayed to stewards on entry to parking areas.
PART 2 – ARRIVAL AT THE GROUND
CAR PARKS
Parking will be located in the council car park opposite Bannatyne Health Club or in the Riverside Park and these will be filled on a first come first served basis. Please follow the instructions of stewards who will direct you to the parking areas.
If you haven’t bought a parking pass in advance, the remaining parking passes will be £7 on the day payable to the stewards in the car parks. We are a cashless venue so this will be card payments only. (However, to save money and speed up ingress of cars we definitely recommend that you buy your pass in advance).
Please note – car parks will be busy immediately before the game and spectators are advised to allow themselves plenty of time to get parked and access the ground.
ENTRY TO THE GROUND – GATES
All spectator gates will open at 13:30pm If you are able to, please make sure to arrive early to avoid any queues and to sample both the games and all the great activities we have in the ground.
The following gates are in use:
· Gate 1 Hospitality customers
· Gate 2 General access
· Gate 3 General access (no bags)
NEW FOR 2025 – Gate 0 will be used as an Accessible gate for people with additional access requirements. Please follow the signs around the ground to use this gate or ask a steward for directions.
Spectators are asked to avoid bringing any bags, if at all possible, but where they do, please expect to be searched. Also be aware you cannot bring your own alcoholic drinks or glass items into the Stadium for games in the Vitality Blast. These will be confiscated at the entry gates.
All tickets for this fixture are unreserved seating so you can sit anywhere inside the Banks Homes Riverside. If it helps when you are choosing your seats this game will be played on Pitch 13.
HOURS OF PLAY
The scheduled hours of play are as follows, but please listen for announcements of any adjustments to these timings on the day.
Durham Women v Birmingham Bears
2:30pm start
3.45pm – interval
5:15pm – scheduled close of play
Durham v Derbyshire Falcons
6:30pm start
7:45pm – interval
9:15pm – scheduled close of play
PART 3 – IN GROUND – CONCOURSE ACTIVITY
Be sure to arrive early for the game so you can experience all the great activities we have on the concourse at the ground. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in the build up to the game.
Please note – Banks Homes Riverside is a cashless venue throughout so come prepared for this.
SHOP/RECEPTION/BOX OFFICE
Durham’s Welcome Hub will be open throughout this fixture.
Fans will have the chance to browse all of Durham’s retail offering in our club shop and go home with some Durham merchandise as a momento of your visit.
A special Durham Cricket 2025 programme is available to purchase from the Welcome Hub priced at £4.
FAMILY ZONE
Durham Cricket is delighted that our Everyone Active Family Zone is back for 2025 in our new and refurbished Family Zone located behind block 5. It’s a must for all families to experience with lots of fun games to have a go at. Think you can bowl as fast as Lauren Filer or pull off some Ben Stokes catches? If so, we have you covered. The Family Zone will be open from 3pm.
FAMILY STAND
Our family stand is located in the three tiers of Block 5. This is immediately adjacent to the Family Zone and is the ideal place for families to enjoy the game from.
The Upper Tier of the Family Stand is a no alcohol area.
If you have a pushchair, don’t worry there is a pushchair storage area next to the Family Zone.
FAN ZONE
In association with Heineken, Durham Cricket will see our Fan Zone return for 2025, situated in front of the main pavilion the Fan Zone will feature live music before the games, during the interval and after the game too.
The Heineken Fan Zone will host a large selection of varied food and drink options with seating to relax and enjoy the live music. Our fan zone will remain open after the close of play to grab a final drink or bite to eat before leaving.
FOOD AND DRINK PROVISION
We have a wide variety of food and drink offerings around the ground to suit everyone’s tastes.
The Durham Cricket Members Lounge will be open from 1:30pm serving snacks, cold food and drinks.
Then from 5pm-8pm there will be a hot food served with access via Tower 3 by showing your membership card.
The Sticky Wicket will be open for drinks.
A number of food outlets will be open including, Pizza, Greek, hog, scampi and burger options will be available.
CUPS
Durham Cricket Club have once again partnered with North-East based Event Cup Solutions to provide the most sustainable reusable cup solution at the Banks Homes Riverside this season.
Event Cup Solutions, the company behind the ONE Planet ONE Chance® Reusable Cup System will provide the ground with its own unique solution for the 2023 season, enabling the club to reduce their carbon footprint further.
Buy your drink.
Enjoy your drink.
Return your cup.
Supports a reusable cup scheme.
Please do not take your cup home.
WELCOMING ENVIRONMENTS – FACILITIES AVAILABLE
Durham Cricket is committed to providing a venue which is accessible to all. We aim to cater for everyone’s needs.
The following facilities are available at the ground:
Sensory Room
Our Sensory Room will be open for all Vitality Blast games.
Based in the Media Centre, this room will provide safe, relaxing space for individuals and families who may have particular sensory needs to enjoy an unrivalled view of the game. Due to the space available this is done by calling 0191 387 1717 or by emailing box.office@durhamcricket.co.uk
Changing Places Facility
Adjacent to the Media Centre under Block 5 we have a Changing Places facility which includes disabled toilets and changing space.
The new accessible changing facility meets the needs of those who require complex care and provides equipment, including a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench, ceiling track hoist system and peninsular toilet.
Multi-faith space
Durham Cricket also has a multi-faith space which is available for use at all fixtures and is situated next to the Media Centre. This is designed for anyone who wishes to practise their faith or simply utilise a space for quiet reflection.
There is no requirement to book this space with access controlled via a steward on the day.
REUNITE ME
Durham Cricket are excited to announce a new partnership with Reunite Me, a leading provider of QR code wristbands designed to enhance the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals at events. As parents, we understand that the safety of your children is of utmost importance. Crowded events can be overwhelming, and the thought of losing sight of your child can overshadow the fun and enjoyment. With Reunite Me, you can have peace of mind knowing that we have a robust system in place to ensure your child’s safety. Click here to read more.
PART 4 – IN BOWL ENTERTAINMENT
Seating
As previously mentioned the seating is unreserved so you can choose where to sit in the ground. As T20 Blast is a fast, explosive game we ask for spectators to keep their eye on the action at all time as there may be occasions where a big hit means the ball coming into the stands.
Entertainment
It would be great to generate a fantastic atmosphere at the ground. In the run up to the game our Host will keep the crowd informed on things around the game and also get the crowd involved in games and activities. Be sure to join in where you can and don’t forget to grab your 4 and 6 cards at the gate to wave every time there’s a boundary scored.
Also keep your eye out for the Scatter Blast when our volunteers will throw T shirts into the crowd, try and be the one who catches them.
Crowd and Spectator Behaviour
You can also assist with the security operation by reporting any concerns relating to crowd behaviour – no matter how small – to the club’s stewards. If something doesn’t look right, tell a steward.
Durham Cricket is committed to ensuring that all spectators have an excellent experience, no one should have to endure anti-social behaviour of any kind. Should you experience such conduct or behaviour, please report it to your nearest steward or anonymously by texting location and conduct details to 07714 954990.
PART 5 – END OF THE GAME AND EXIT
The fun doesn’t stop once the game is finished, so please make the most of this too.
Signing Session
At the end of the game players will conduct a signing session for fans.
Food and drink outlets
A number of the food and drink outlets will remain open after the game to allow you to carry on enjoying the experience at the venue. This will include Durham Cricket’s Fan Zone and the Sticky Wicket.
Car Parks
Please be patient when leaving the car parks. They will take some time to fully empty after the game
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Durham Cricket updates on the T20 Blast via our social media channels
X (formerly twitter): @DurhamCricket
Facebook: @DhamCricket
Instagram: @DurhamCricket_
Tik Tok: DurhamCricket
We really hope you enjoy your visit to the Banks Homes Riverside and that you have an amazing experience. We’d love to hear your thoughts about your visit by using our social media channels above, by emailing box.office@durhamcricket.co.uk or by completing a survey you may receive from the ECB about your visit.