Indoor cricket nets are hired by the lane, usually by the hour. You can then put as many people in the lane as the venue allows, so the cost per player is often lower than it looks, especially for a club booking a block of winter sessions. Prices vary a lot by type of venue and time of day.
Typical prices per lane
From venue price pages we checked in 2026, a single indoor lane for an hour costs from about £10 at a council or club venue to around £45 at a dedicated cricket academy:
| Venue | Lane price | Bowling machine |
|---|---|---|
| Active Leeds (council) | £10 per lane per hour (community) | £25 per hour for lane plus machine |
| Bath Cricket Club indoor centre | £20 per large lane per hour; £10 small practice lane | £10 to £25 per hour depending on machine, plus a £25 induction |
| Winchester College Sports Centre | £17.50 or £27.50 per lane per hour | Not listed |
| Cambridge University Sport indoor cricket school | £25 per lane per hour (community rate) | £10 per hour; a Level 2 coach must be present |
| Yorkshire Cricket Centre, Headingley | £25 off-peak, £35 peak (5pm–10pm) for a single lane | £30 off-peak, £40 peak |
| North East Cricket Academy (South North CC) | £45 per lane per hour | £50 per hour including machine |
Sources: Active Leeds, Bath Cricket Club, Winchester College Sports Centre, Cambridge University Sport, Yorkshire County Cricket Club, South North Cricket Club. Prices are as listed by each venue when checked and can change; always confirm when you book.
As a rough rule, expect to pay £10 to £25 an hour for a lane at a council sports hall, school or club, and £25 to £45 at a county ground or dedicated cricket centre, with peak evening and weekend rates at the top end.
To work out the cost per player, divide the lane price by the number of people sharing it. A £25 lane shared by five players is £5 each for an hour. For a club, the bigger cost is the number of weeks: a ten-week winter block of two lanes at £25 an hour comes to £500, which is why many clubs budget for nets in their subs or charge players a fixed fee for the winter.
What affects the price
- Peak vs off-peak. Weekday evenings and weekends between January and April are the busiest time of year, and the most expensive. Daytime slots are often much cheaper.
- Type of venue. Council and school sports halls with roll-out nets are cheapest. County grounds and purpose-built indoor schools with long run-ups, better surfaces and lighting cost more.
- Bowling machines. Usually extra, from about £10 an hour on top of the lane to a combined lane-and-machine rate. Some venues require an induction or a qualified coach. See the bowling machine practice guide.
- Community vs commercial rate. Many venues have a lower rate for clubs, schools and community groups.
- Tech lanes. Simulator and camera-based lanes are priced differently, often per session. Check the venue's own site.
How to keep the cost down
- Share the lane. A lane split between four to six players brings the cost per person down to a few pounds.
- Book off-peak or early in the winter. November and December are quieter than the pre-season rush.
- Block book. Clubs booking a run of weekly sessions often get a better rate. Ask the venue.
- Check council and school venues. They're often the cheapest, though some only allow softer balls.
Outdoor nets
Outdoor nets at clubs and parks are cheaper again, and some public nets are free to use. Winchester College, for example, lists outdoor nets at £15.60 per net per hour for commercial hire. Many clubs only let members use their outdoor nets, so ask first.
Before you book
- Check whether hard balls are allowed. Some sports halls only permit softer balls.
- Ask how many players a lane takes and whether there's a run-up long enough for seam bowlers.
- Find out the cancellation policy. Winter slots are in demand and many venues charge if you cancel late.
- Bring your own balls unless the venue says they're supplied.
Compare lanes and book: cricket nets near me, or browse all UK cricket net venues. See also cricket nets in Leeds and how indoor nets work.
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a cricket net?
From venue price pages checked in 2026, an indoor lane costs from about £10 an hour at a council venue to around £45 an hour at a dedicated cricket academy, with peak evening rates at the top end.
Is a bowling machine included in cricket net hire?
Usually not. Machines are often charged extra, typically from about £10 an hour, or as a combined lane-and-machine rate. Some venues require an induction or coach.
How many people can use a cricket net lane?
It depends on the venue. Some state a maximum, for example eight players in a large lane at Bath Cricket Club. Four to six is common for a practice session.
When is the cheapest time to book indoor nets?
Weekday daytime slots and the early part of the winter, before the January to April pre-season rush.