Annual London Youth Games Cricket Finals proves a huge hit at the weekend with Haringey and Ealing lifting 2026 titles

On the eve of England’s 2026 domestic county cricket season getting underway, this weekend saw the annual London Youth Games Cricket Finals taking place at UEL SportsDock on Sunday.

Eight boys’ and eight girls’ teams had progressed through to the Finals Day, after successfully coming through the qualifiers held in early March, in which 28 boroughs across London competed for a place at the showpiece annual event.

Tasting success on at Finals Day and lifting the boys’ title was Haringey borough, with Ealing borough claiming gold in the girls’ competition.

Also enjoying their moment on the podium were Redbridge borough, whose boys’ and girls’ sides both ran out silver medalists on the day in their respective competitions, with the bronze medals going to Hounslow boys and Bexley girls.

The London Youth Games Finals took place amid a surge in cricket rising to the 8th most popular sport in the UK, with the advent of the Hundred bringing a new and younger audience to the game in recent years.

Speaking of their victory, Haringey boys Team manager, John Beckett, commented:

“Very proud of the team. They’ve done really well. They work really hard in training and they really applied themselves. They played seven games and won them all, so very proud of them. It means a lot to win for the first time in years.”

Whilst one Haringey participant, Gil, said of their experience at competing in the London Youth Games Cricket competition:

“It’s helped me develop as a cricket player. I wasn’t so confident in my game before this and now I feel a lot more confident when I play, whether I go out for my club or here at the London Youth Games.

“It’s the first time in Haringey’s history to win the LYG Cricket Finals so it’s really monumental to like be part of this experience.”

On lifting the 2026 London Youth Games title, Bobby Behzadi, Ealing girls Team Manager said:

“There’s a real spread of players all playing from different clubs and they’ve bonded really quickly. The friendships that the team have formed have been really good as well. They’ve previously played against each other as rivals, but they’re all still really friendly and that’s credit to them. It’s a brilliant achievement, really amazing.”

Swara, Ealing girls participant said:

“It means so much to win the London Youth Games, because our team has come so far in this tournament. I’m really proud of the team. As we’ve progressed through the day, we’ve seen so much improvement in how we’ve played as a team, and to have won at the end after such a tense game, it’s super exciting. And I’m super excited for the future.”

Wilf Slack Young Cricketers Development Trust is proudly partnering with London Youth Games to promote youth cricket and expand access to the game for all backgrounds and maintain Wilf Slack’s legacy. The collaboration has enabled over 450 young players, including many who may not otherwise have access to competitive cricket opportunities.

Wilf Slack Young Cricketers Development Trust was set up in honour of Wilf Slack, whose career of over a decade at Middlesex County Cricket Club and was tragically cut short when he passed away in 1989, aged just 34.

Esmae McGregor, a right-arm seam bowler for Essex Cricket, attended the event to present medals to the winning Girls teams. She earned selection for the 2025 The Hundred with the Manchester Originals, and was recently named Essex Women’s Young Player of the Year as well as Players’ Player of the Year.

The event plays a vital role in inspiring more young people to take up and stay in cricket, supporting the development of skills, confidence and a lifelong love of the game. For some, it also marks the beginning of a pathway into higher levels of competition.

The event was made possible thanks to the dedication of officials, BTOs, Team Managers and parents, whose support ensured a memorable experience for all involved.

Through events like this, the London Youth Games Foundation supports more than 10,000 young people across London each year, delivering opportunities across 37 sports in all 33 boroughs, helping to inspire the next generation at a pivotal moment for cricket.