Lords tickets

The ground holds 31,100 since the rebuilt Compton and Edrich Stands opened in 2021, adding 2,600 seats, and the figure will change again as the Allen and Tavern projects add at least 1,000 seats for Members and guests. The field itself slopes about 2.5 m from the Grand Stand side down to the Tavern and Mound Stands. Around the ground from the Pavilion:

• Pavilion (Pavilion End, south-west): the MCC Members' pavilion. During a Test, only MCC Members can watch from it.
• Allen Stand, next to the Pavilion: being rebuilt, with MCC planning to finish it before the 2027 Ashes.
• Tavern Stand, on the south side: due for redevelopment from autumn 2027, subject to Members' approval, and the future home of the big screen.
• Mound Stand, further along the south side: only rows A-E and row 16 upwards are under cover; rows 1-15 are open to the sky.
• Edrich and Compton Stands, at the Nursery End facing the Pavilion: three-tier public stands rebuilt in 2019-2021, with around 11,500 seats between them. They sit either side of the Media Centre, which is press and broadcast space rather than seating, and are linked by a walkway overlooking the Nursery Ground.
• Grand Stand, on the north side: the lettered rows and row 11 upwards are covered.
• Warner Stand, between the Grand Stand and the Pavilion: a two-tier Members' stand of 2,656 seats, rebuilt in 2015-2017, when restricted-view seats were cut from about 600 to about 100.

Resale listings give the stand by name, so they are easy to match to the plan. If cover matters on a long July day, avoid rows 1-15 in the Mound Stand and rows 1-10 in the Grand Stand. Our Lord's seating plan shows where each stand sits.

There is no car parking at the ground, and MCC suggests a station for each group of stands:

• St John's Wood (Jubilee line): the closest, about 10 minutes' walk, for the Grand and Compton Stands. It is often heavily congested, and after major matches a queuing system controls entry to the station.
• Baker Street (Bakerloo, Circle, Jubilee, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines): about 18 minutes on a signed walking route, for the Mound and Edrich Stands.
• Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo line) or Edgware Road: about 17 and 20 minutes' walk respectively, for the Warner, Pavilion, Tavern and Allen Stands.
• Marylebone (Chiltern Railways and Bakerloo line): about 10-12 minutes' walk, step-free, with bus 113 to Lord's.
• Buses: routes 13 and 113 stop on Wellington Road, nearest the North and East Gates; routes 139 and 189 stop on Grove End Road, nearest the Grace Gate.

On Test days the gates open at 9am and play is scheduled to start at 11am. Tickets are digital, held in the official Lord's App with no collection point, and the ground is cashless, with no cash machines. All bags are searched on major match days and must stay with you at your seat, so large luggage is best left behind. The pass-out system lets you leave and come back in with a pass and your ticket, but you cannot bring alcohol in after a pass-out.

Lord's says it is the only international cricket venue in the world where spectators can bring their own alcohol. For most matches, Tests included, an adult may bring one of the following: a bottle of wine or Champagne of 750ml at most, two cans or bottles of beer or cider of 500ml each at most, or two cans of premixed aperitifs of 330ml each at most. Spirits and fortified wine are refused, umbrellas cannot be used during play, and fancy dress, musical instruments and flags are not allowed.

Premium seating and hospitality are not part of the ballot. MCC sells them separately as Matchday Hospitality, the Lord's Dining Club, Seasonal Suites, the Old Clock Tower Club and Debentures.

Inside Lord's Premium subscribers get their own first-come, first-served window for the Ashes, from 30 October to 3 November, with 500 pairs per day of the Test, and MCC members have a separate Friends' Enclosures ballot.