Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua: History and Facts
Learn about the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, the ground built for the 2007 World Cup and named after a West Indies batting great.
Overview
The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is in North Sound on the island of Antigua. It was built for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies and named after Sir Vivian Richards, the Antiguan who became one of the finest batters in the history of the game.
It replaced the Antigua Recreation Ground in St John’s as the island’s main international venue.
History and major events
The ground opened in 2007 and hosted matches at that year’s World Cup. It has since staged Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals, and it has regularly been a Caribbean Premier League location.
Its record also includes the final of the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, in which India beat England, and games in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Link with the old ground
The earlier ground, the Antigua Recreation Ground, was the scene of two famous feats. Richards scored a Test century off 56 balls against England there in 1986, and Brian Lara scored 400 not out against England in 2004.
The new stadium carries Richards’s name, although the old ground’s feats are part of the same Antiguan cricket heritage.
Pitch and conditions
Pitches at the stadium have been known to be flat for batting early on, but they have tended to slow and take turn later in matches. The outfield is large, and the coastal setting brings breezes that can affect play. Details of capacity change, so check current West Indies Cricket information.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the stadium named after?
Sir Vivian Richards, the Antiguan batting great.
When was it built?
It was built for the 2007 World Cup and opened that year.
What replaced the Antigua Recreation Ground?
This stadium took over as Antigua’s main international venue.