Play Cricket in the UK or Europe

At CricX, we’re dedicated to creating life-changing opportunities for cricketers to play in the UK and Europe.

Over the past two decades, we’ve placed thousands of male and female cricketers with clubs across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, and other European destinations. From London to Manchester, Dublin to Belfast, and Edinburgh to Amsterdam, we’ve helped players explore every corner of the Northern Hemisphere.

If you’re ready to join them, count on us as your trusted partner to make this happen!

START YOUR JOURNEY!

Register today!

Why CricX?

Looking to play cricket in the UK or Europe but don’t know where to start? 

Welcome to CricX—the UK’s leading cricket agency, dedicated to matching cricketers with clubs across the UK and Europe. With over 20 years of experience and more than 5,000 successful placements, we connect players, both males and females, of all levels—from international and first-class pros to premier grade and amateur club players—with clubs in the Northern Hemisphere.

Our reputation for excellence has made us the go-to choice for cricketers worldwide looking to take their game overseas. Using our extensive network and personalized approach, we find each player their perfect club, creating overseas experiences that are memorable and rewarding.

With CricX, you’ll be supported every step of the way, from placement to end-of-season review.

Begin your journey today and secure your cricket placement in the UK or Europe.

Your cricketing adventure in the UK or Europe awaits!

At CricX we place cricketers of all abilities, both males and females, in the UK and across Europe.

Explore some of our popular locations below (with even more options available!).

London

Manchester

Brighton

Newcastle

Cornwall

Edinburgh

Ireland

Holland

START YOUR JOURNEY!

Register today!

Our CricX Team is on hand every step of the way…

The idea of traveling abroad to play cricket can feel overwhelming, but with CricX, it’s easier than you might think!

Our team of trusted agents, with over 40 years of combined experience, will support you through each step of the process. Every member of our team has firsthand experience playing all over the world and has helped thousands of cricketers secure clubs across the UK and Europe.

We know how valuable shared experiences are, so if you’re planning to travel and play alongside friends, we can connect you with clubs that accommodate this.

With our extensive experience and unmatched network of club connections, you’re in safe hands.

Why wait? Start your adventure with us today!

The team you’ll be working with…

James Cole
Senior Cricket Agent

James has been with the CricX team since 2017, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous role with Scorpion Cricket. Now serving as a Director, he leads our English amateur placements, leveraging his extensive industry connections to secure opportunities for players.

As captain of Northern CC, James has guided his team to multiple titles including the Liverpool League, Lancashire Cup, and the prestigious ECB National T20. With a background in Minor County cricket and five seasons playing in Australia, James’s knowledge and extensive network make him an invaluable asset to CricX, dedicated to providing amateur players with their perfect placement in England.

Dan Hancock
Senior Cricket Agent

Dan joined the CricX team in October 2024, following five successful years leading the Club Vitae agency.

With extensive industry knowledge and a rich cricketing background as a former Premier League captain, Minor Counties player, and active committee member, Dan brings a deep understanding of the recruitment process to CricX. Working closely with Steven, he plays a key role in placing professional cricketers, helping to provide rewarding opportunities for players across the UK and Europe.

Tyler McGladdery
Assistant Cricket Agent

Since joining CricX in 2022, Tyler has applied his extensive playing experience to place amateur cricketers throughout the UK and Europe. With a deep understanding of the global club scene, he skillfully matches players with their perfect opportunity overseas.

An accomplished cricketer himself, Tyler consistently ranks among the top run-scorers in the Liverpool Competition and has distinguished himself in County 2nd XI and NCCA cricket. His broad background, including experience in Australia and New Zealand, makes him an invaluable asset to our team, committed to arranging rewarding placements for cricketers across the UK and Europe.

Matt Taaffe
Social Media Manager

Matt joined the CricX team in June 2024, immediately enhancing our administrative operations and social media presence.

An accomplished Premier League cricketer with experience in Australia, Matt leads our social media strategy and serves as the primary contact for both players and clubs. His contributions are essential to our day-to-day operations, and he actively supports our team with placements across the UK and Europe, ensuring smooth and effective communication across all fronts at CricX.

Steven Hirst
Managing Director

Founder and Managing Director of CricX, Steven has over 20 years of experience in the industry. His passion and commitment to the company and its clients, not to mention his unrivaled knowledge and global access to clubs and cricketers alike, make him one of the most respected and diligent agents in the market.

A former overseas player himself, Steven deals with our professional placements in all territories of the world from UK club and county cricket to the ever-growing global Franchise market.

CricX In Numbers

Over 5000 Placements

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First Class Players
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International Players
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International Captains

Over 40m Web & Social Media Impressions

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Facebook Impressions*
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Insta Impressions*
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Website Visits*

* data between 1 September 2023 and 1 September 2024

UK & Europe – Visas & Entry

You’ll need to apply for a relevant UK or European visa, and we recommend submitting your application well in advance of your travel date. We have outlined the most commonly used visa options available:

UK Visa Options

International Sportsperson Visa

You can apply for an International Sportsperson Visa (‘ISP’) if you meet the eligibility requirements and your sport’s governing body endorses your application, confirming:

  • you’re an elite cricketer or qualified coach
  • you’re internationally established
  • your employment will develop cricket in the UK at the highest level

The ISP is available for professional cricketers and coaches in the following countries – England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, only.

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

You can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa (‘YMV’) if you:

  • want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years
  • are aged 18 to 30 or 18 to 35, depending on where you’re from
  • have £2,530 in savings
  • have certain types of British Nationality or are from certain countries or territories listed in the eligibility requirements.

The YMV allows cricketers to play in the UK as long as they are classified as “Amateurs” by the Home Office and only participate in predominantly amateur clubs or leagues. They may assist in coaching (if appropriately qualified and vetted) but only under the direct supervision of a certified coach. Employment is permitted, though not in roles as a sportsperson or coach.

Standard Visitor Visa

As a Standard Visitor (“SVV”), you can travel to the UK for tourism, business, short-term study (courses up to 6 months), and other permitted activities, including playing amateur club cricket, provided it’s not the primary purpose of your visit.

Typically, you may stay in the UK for up to 6 months. However, to play cricket, you must be classified as an “Amateur” by the Home Office and may only participate as an amateur in a predominantly amateur club or league.

UK Ancestry Visa

You can apply for a UK Ancestry Visa (‘AV’) if you’re one of the following:

You must also:

  • prove one of your grandparents was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man
  • meet the other eligibility requirements

To clarify, an AV allows you to play as a professional cricketer in the UK.

Student Visa

You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

You are allowed to play as an amateur for an amateur club or the educational institution you are attending, as long as you are classified as an Amateur by the Home Office. Coaching, whether paid or unpaid, is only permitted if it is a component of the course you are studying in the UK.

Skilled Worker Visa

A Skilled Worker Visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.

You must be classified as an “Amateur” by the Home Office and can only play as an amateur for a club that is predominantly amateur.

…..

Professional Sportsperson definition

A “Professional Sportsperson” is deemed a player who has represented their state or regional team within the previous four (4) years, including all youth and development age groups from under 17s upwards.

For further guidance please refer to Home Office website here.

…..

Please note: The information above has been drafted by CricX with the sole purpose of guiding cricketers planning to travel to the UK or Europe. This should not be interpreted as official Home Office guidance. CricX is not a registered immigration official therefore if you require official guidance please refer to the published pages on the GOV.UK visas and immigration website. Anyone wishing to travel to the UK or Europe to play cricket must ensure that all immigration conditions are adhered to.

International Sportsperson Visa
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
Standard Visitor Visa
UK Ancestry Visa
Student Visa
Skilled Worker Visa

European Visa Options

Schengen Visa (for multiple European countries)

A Schengen Visa is an entry permit for non-EU nationals to make a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180 days to a country in the Schengen area. Notable cricketing countries whose nationals are exempted from holding a Schengen Visa include Australia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, and United Kingdom, and numerous Caribean countries including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago). The full exempt list can be seen here.

Short Stay ‘C’ Visit (Tourist) Visa – Republic of Ireland

If your country is on the exempt list (click here for details) you can enter the Republic of Ireland without a visa for up to 90 days. If you are from a visa-required country you will have to apply here. This ‘C’ Visit Visa does not permit paid employment.

Working Holiday Authorisation – Republic of Ireland

Ireland has reciprocal agreements with certain cricketing countries (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong), allowing young citizens from these nations to fund their holidays through casual work. The scheme is available to applicants aged 18 to 30.

Since citizens of these countries do not require a visa to enter Ireland, the program is not based on a visa but on a Working Holiday Authorisation. Participants are issued a document they must carry when traveling to Ireland and present upon request. This authorisation permits qualifying travelers to undertake casual or temporary work in Ireland without needing a work permit. It remains valid for employment only if the bearer also holds a valid Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Registration Card. It’s recommended to apply for the GNIB card immediately upon arrival, either at the GNIB office at 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 (for Dublin residents) or at your local Garda (police) station if outside Dublin.

Working Holiday Program – Netherlands

The Working Holiday Program (WHP) or Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) is a cultural exchange program between certain cricketing countries (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong) and the Netherlands. The scheme is for 18 to 30-year-olds and is valid for up to 1 year.

Work Permit (GVVA) – Netherlands

Foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to work in the Netherlands for more than 3 months must meet several requirements. The appropriate visa for this purpose is the gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid (GVVA), or combined residence and work permit. Since the application process can take a considerable amount of time, it’s recommended to begin the process at least 3 months before your planned travel.

Seasonal Employment Permit – Republic of Ireland

The Employment Permits Act 2024 introduces a new Seasonal Employment Permit, set to begin in early 2025. This short-term permit allows non-EEA nationals to work for up to 7 months per calendar year in seasonally recurring employment. It will be a more appropriate option for professional cricketers, replacing the previous Sport and Cultural Employment Permit.
Schengen Visa
Short Stay ‘C’ Visit (Tourist) Visa
Working Holiday Authorisation
Working Holiday Program
Work Permit (GVVA) – Netherlands
Seasonal Employment Permit – Republic of Ireland

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