The Diwali Cup will return to Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday, 1 November, for its third year, bringing together cricket, culture and community celebrations.
Organised by the Lancashire Cricket Foundation (LCF), the tournament celebrates the Hindu festival of Diwali, also known as the Festival of Light, while using cricket to strengthen connections between communities across Lancashire and the North West.
Jen Barden, managing director of LCF, said the event was originally created to help the organisation engage with South Asian communities who had previously had fewer opportunities to participate in its activities.
She explained that, over the past three years, the Diwali Cup has evolved beyond a cricket competition into a broader celebration of sport, cultural identity and faith. Although the matches remain competitive, she said the wider community experience is what makes the event particularly special.
Barden added that the tournament had continued to grow each year, with organisers looking forward to welcoming more participants and visitors to the upcoming event.
The Diwali Cup was first launched in 2024 through a partnership between the Lancashire Cricket Foundation and GIEO Gita UK (Global Inspiration Enlightenment Organisation of the Bhagwad Gita).
The event is funded by GIEO Gita UK and the ECB Cricket Cities Programme. Starting with eight teams in its inaugural year, the tournament expanded to 14 teams in 2025, reflecting its growing popularity and community reach.
As it enters its third year, the Diwali Cup continues to bring people together through cricket, celebrating diversity, cultural heritage and the spirit of Diwali.
