Petition · past parliament
Add Test matches in England to the 'Crown Jewels' that must be free to air
Closed
524 signatures
What the petition asks
This petition requests that Cricket Test matches played in England are transferred back to the Category A ('Crown Jewel') events list, meaning that they must be offered for broadcast on free-to-air television. The transfer to Category B in 2005 has brought money into the game but limited viewership.
The 2005 change may have been made with the best of intentions, but we believe the impact has been to narrow the game's appeal.
No amount of funding can compensate for a generation that has missed watching the key events from Cricket Test matches played in England as they happened.
Free to air test cricket will not solve everything but we believe it is a good start to engage the next generation and make the game more diverse and inclusive.
No amount of funding can compensate for a generation that has missed watching the key events from Cricket Test matches played in England as they happened.
Free to air test cricket will not solve everything but we believe it is a good start to engage the next generation and make the game more diverse and inclusive.
Timeline
| 7 Jan 2022 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 7 Jul 2022 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
524
Status
Closed
Opened
7 Jan 2022
Closed
7 Jul 2022
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.