Vitality Blast Spectator Guide: Sharks vs Essex

After a huge win at the Kia Oval against Surrey, the Sharks return to T20 action tomorrow at The 1st Central County Ground to take on Essex Eagles. To help you plan your visit, we’ve pulled together all the information you need to know to have a great night.

When to get here

The action gets underway tomorrow at 7:00pm, with gates opening for spectators from 5:30pm. There will be an interval between innings at approximately 8:15pm, lasting 15 minutes. Play is expected to finish at 9:45pm.

There are two main entrances to The 1st Central County Ground. You can access our main gate via Eaton Road adjacent to the The Sussex Cricketer Pub. Alternatively, you can access the ground via our North Gate at the end of Palmeira Avenue.

Although your tickets will indicate which gate is closest to your seat, you can enter the ground via any entrance. 

To speed up entry please arrive at the gate that you have been designated on your match day ticket.

Fans are reminded that no re-entry will be permitted once you’ve made your way in.

Hospitality opening times

For those of you who will experience the Vitality Blast with one of our Premium Hospitality packages, entry will be granted from 5:00pm, with food served from 5:30pm.

Both Cow Corner and the Spen Cama Hospitality areas will close 15 minutes after the end of play.

How to get here

By car

Please note there is no parking available for T20 match days, we therefore advise that you arrive by public transport if possible.

There is a public car park, Norton Road Car Park (BN3 3BE), located a short walk West of The 1st Central County Ground opposite Hove Town Hall (charges apply between 8am and 8pm). Click here for more information.

By train

Hove Railway Station is a ten-minute walk from the ground. Leave the station and head South on Goldstone Villas, at the bottom of the road turn left onto Eaton Road. Cross over The Drive continuing along Eaton Road, The 1st Central County Ground will appear on your left hand side.

Brighton Railway Station is approximately a mile and a half from the Club. There are regular rail services from Brighton Station to Hove Station. There is also a taxi rank located just outside Brighton Station, together with a bus terminus (please see bus details below).

By bus

The Number 7 bus runs past the North (Cromwell Road) end of the ground with several stops near the ground. This service is the George Street, Hove to Brighton Marina service and serves both Hove and Brighton Rail Stations. This bus runs approximately every 10 minutes and around every 15 minutes on Sundays.

The 21 & 21A Brighton Marina to Goldstone Valley service stops outside the main entrance to the ground; these are less frequent but do run through the central Hove and Brighton areas. Click here for up-to-date information on these services and for a details route map.

When you’re here

Retail shop

Our brand-new replica shirts for the 2023 season are available now to purchase within the Club shop. You’ll also find a range of other merchandise on sale including training kit, stationery, bats and balls, plus much more.

Fan Freebies

Make sure you keep an eye out for all of the freebies we’ll have available to you. These include hairy headbands, our dedicated T20 match handout, a signature book and your 4 & 6 cards to help you celebrate every boundary. These giveaways can be collected on entry to the ground.

Food and beverages

We have a number of food and beverage outlets for you to choose from when you’re here at Hove. At the Cromwell Road End you'll find the Coffee & Cake, Hide & Greek and Wicked Burger units.

At the Sea End you will find the Piccadilly Whip ice cream van, Lush Burger and Greigs Cafe serving sandwiches, Piglets Pies and more. 

There are also dedicated drinks units around the ground serving a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, includes teas and coffees. 

In the Spen Cama Pavilion we have a full bar which includes draught lagers, cider and Harvey’s real ale. Teas, coffees and pastries are also available, alongside Loaded 'Moms' hot dogs. 

In the South West area of the ground, behind the Sharks Stand you will find Birra Moretti Shaks, the Brighton Gin Trike, plus Coffee & Crepe and the Fish & Chips unit. So, whatever you fancy on the night, we have you covered!

You can also purchase drinks and alcoholic beverages from several bars located around the ground.

Please be aware that alcohol, food & drink is not permitted to be brought into The 1st Central County Ground for T20 fixtures.

A cashless venue

We’d like to remind all spectators that The 1st Central County Ground is now a cashless venue. This means that only card or contactless payments will be accepted (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) throughout our venue. This will apply to all outlets at Hove, including food and beverage kiosks, ticketing, membership and our Club retail shop.

Family fun

Kids can show their support for the Sharks by having their faces painted in Sussex colours, you’ll find the face-painting station located at the Cromwell Road End of the ground, located by the family and general stand.

Children aged 5-14 can also join our Foundation coaches in the FamZone for a range of cricket-based activities.

The FamZone will be in action from when gates open to the start of the 2nd innings.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for our mascots around the ground! Sid and Sandy don’t bite, so head on over and say hello! Why not take a photo to remember your trip to Hove.

Half-time entertainment

The half time interval is your opportunity to win a £50 Amazon voucher with our Catch the Cash competition, presented by 1st Central.

If you’re sat in the Shark Stand, get your hands at the ready. Catch one of three balls thrown into the stand at the interval and you’ll be invited onto the outfield to take one more catch for the chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher. Good luck!

After the game

Once the action is over fans will be allowed onto the outfield for 15 minutes once the players and officials have left the playing area.

Sussex players will also sign autographs at the bottom of the players steps by the dugouts shortly after play.

We will then ask all fans to leave The 1st Central County Ground 30 minutes after play ends at approximately 10:15pm.

Cricket is for everyone

Sussex is for everyone. Cricket is for everyone. Call it out!

That’s why we are committed to our zero-tolerance policy when it comes to discrimination, anti-social behaviour and abuse in all its forms.

If you witness racist of homophobic abuse, or any form of discrimination or anti-social behaviour you can anonymously text ‘SHARKS’ plus details of the incident, to 07840852792.

Still need a ticket?

There is still time to buy your tickets online for our game against Essex Eagles. You can purchase tickets online up until the start of play. 

Tickets can also be purchased by calling the Box Office 01273 827100.

Those wishing to purchase tickets upon arrival at The 1st Central County Ground are only able to do so via the Eaton Road gate from 5:30pm. However, we strongly recommend you buy them online in advance to reduce queue times and to ensure your tickets are protected by our refund policy.

Follow every ball online

If you can’t make it down to Hove to watch the Sharks in action, you can watch all of the action on our livestream and keep up to date with the scorecard and ball-by-ball updates via our Match Day Centre in real time. 

Don’t forget you can also keep up to date on the go by following our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.