Ramadan Cup 2026 Brings Communities Together at Old Trafford Indoor Centre

The Ramadan Cup 2026 brought communities from across Greater Manchester together for six exciting nights of tape-ball cricket at the Emirates Old Trafford Indoor Cricket Centre.

Held during the holy month of Ramadan, matches took place each evening from 10pm to midnight, giving players the chance to stay active after breaking their fast and completing prayers. The tournament created a welcoming and energetic environment, blending the spirit of Ramadan with the enjoyment of sport and community connection.

Nine teams took part in this year's competition, with three teams competing each night in the opening stages. The fast-paced tape-ball format delivered an exciting atmosphere throughout, showcasing skill, teamwork and friendly competition.

Following the group stages, six teams progressed to the knockout rounds, leading to a thrilling finals night. Spectators travelled from across Manchester, Cheetham Hill, Rochdale and surrounding areas to support their teams and enjoy the vibrant community atmosphere.

Defending champions Rochdale Heroes successfully retained their title, showing impressive consistency throughout the tournament. Cheetham Hill also enjoyed a strong run, winning two matches to reach the semi-finals, while Manchester Titans pushed them to the limit in one of the most closely contested games of the competition.

Matches were officiated each night by official umpires and scorers, ensuring a professional and fair tournament. Individual achievements were recognised with awards for Top Scorer, Top Bowler, Top Fielder and Best All-Rounder, alongside trophies for the winners and runners-up.

The event was organised by the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, with Arsalan Khalid working alongside Ben from the Indoor Centre to deliver the competition and ensure it ran smoothly across all six nights.

The tournament concluded with players and spectators coming together to enjoy chai and light refreshments, celebrating the success of the event.

Special thanks go to Jen Barden (Managing Director), Greg Pennington (Cricket Development Manager – Inclusion) and Chanelle McManus (Community Programmes Manager) for attending the final and showing their continued support for community cricket initiatives.

Additional recognition goes to all nine teams involved, including Chadderton and NBCA Oldham, representing the Bangladeshi community, who both reached the quarter-final stage.

The Ramadan Cup  continues to demonstrate the power of cricket to bring people together, promoting wellbeing, community engagement and cultural celebration during an important time of year.

The event was delivered by the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, funded by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) through Cricket Cities, and supported by sponsor Last Man Stands.

A heartfelt  thank you goes to everyone who played, volunteered, officiated and supported helping to make Ramadan Cup 2026 a truly special community event.