[Source: The Sports Consultancy] The findings of an economic impact and benefits analysis carried out on behalf of the ICC by The Sports Consultancy show that the tournament generated almost GBP 350 million of economic impact through additional money spent in the host economy by event visitors and organisers as well as business to business supplier contracts and broader consumer spend.

More than half a million bed nights were generated with an income of GBP 46.5 million thanks to almost 650,000 out of town spectators, 128,385 of whom were international ticket buyers.

London attracted the most direct economic impact of almost GBP 65 million, whilst semi-final venues Manchester and Birmingham attracted a direct economic impact of GBP 36.3 million and GBP 29.7 million respectively.

The live coverage of the event reached a global cumulative average audience of 1.6 billion viewers whilst digital video content netted over 4.6 billion views confirming the event’s position as one of the world’s most watched sporting events.

ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: “The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 was an outstanding success across all measures which is further underlined by this report and the significant contribution of GBP 350 million it has brought to the UK economy. This makes it one of the biggest sporting events in the UK in recent history.

“ICC events provide a wonderful platform to connect more deeply with a diverse audience of hundreds of millions of fans and to aggregate audiences like never before even in our increasingly fragmented world.

“The rise of cricket tourism is clearly demonstrated with almost 20% of attendees coming from overseas and a total of 85% of ticket buyers coming from out of town with cricket fans increasingly prepared to travel to support their team. We expect this trend to continue to rise as the Asian sub-continent continues rapid economic growth.

 “We are currently in the process of getting expressions of interest from our Members to host future events post 2023 as part of our ambitions to grow the game globally. This report clearly demonstrates staging ICC events not only provides our host countries with the opportunity to showcase the very best they have to offer to an enormous global audience they are also a major global driver for social, cultural and economic impact.”

Populous, the global architecture and design practice, has completed work on the redevelopment of the Warner Stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London – the UK’s largest cricket ground and host of matches in the upcoming 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup and 2019 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Venue owner Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)’s Assistant Secretary (Estates) Robert Ebdon said, “MCC is very proud of its history of commissioning individual stands and buildings at Lord’s, each with their own character. With their vision for the new Warner Stand, Populous has designed an architecturally distinctive and pioneering building which has enhanced the aesthetics of the ground while delivering world-class functionality.”

The new stand replaces the original 1950s Warner Stand, which was considered unfit for purpose. What was once one of the worst stands in world Cricket is now leading the way.

“It is a privilege for the practice to add to the wonderful heritage of the ‘Home of Cricket’,” said Philip Johnson, Populous Senior Principal and Project Lead.

“The new Warner Stand has been designed to complement the existing campus of buildings at Lord’s, providing excellent views of the action, world-class match control facilities, a number of bars, and a new restaurant with fantastic views overlooking the ground. Lord’s has a special place in the hearts of cricketers and fans, and this new stand will help cement its position as the finest cricket ground in the world.”

Located between the Grade II listed Pavilion and the Grand Stand, the new Warner Stand has been designed to deliver an enhanced spectator experience and a significant upgrade to facilities.

Views and accessibility have been improved while the time taken to travel between the seats and amenities has been decreased.

A new “futureproof” Match Control Suite exceeds ICC (International Cricket Council) and ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) standards.

The venue has 100 days on non-cricket events each year and income from these events will be boosted by revitalised hospitality facilities, including a restaurant, bars at all levels and catering outlets. The enlarged, 135-cover restaurant occupies features a glazed wall with impressive large sash windows along the side of the room facing the pitch, offering stunning views over Lord’s.

The project team included consulting engineers Arup and contractor BAM Construct Ltd, who selected a white, translucent insulating tensile fabric membrane from Tayo for the roof over the restaurant - the first use in Europe of this aerogel-coated fabric.

In addition to Tayo’s roof, other subcontracted elements included glazing from Fleetwood, in-situ concrete from GCL, precast concrete from Creagh of Northern Ireland, and staircases and glass balustrading from Structural Stairways.

The fabric roof is supported by American White Oak beams that form a series of structural ‘ribs’, which cantilever over the seating tier, radiating from the corner of the Ground in a form reminiscent of a spreading palm leaf. Rainwater runs back to the rear where it is collected at basement level and stored to flush lavatories.

In addition to rainwater recycling, a green roof over the rear part of the building and green walls on the garden facade, solar thermal and photovoltaic roof panels have been incorporated into the roof to generate hot water and electricity. Boreholes and ground source heat pumps are also an integral part of the energy system, making the heating and cooling system carbon neutral.

Populous will continue to work with MCC developing its masterplan for the venue as a whole. According to MCC, the overall redevelopment plan is scheduled to continue through to 2029 and will cost a total £180-200m.

The future development of the ground will further boost its ability to host non-cricket events, including a £42m new East Gate building including a multi-function hall scheduled for completion by 2024.