Sussex will start the 2026 County Championship season on minus 12 points after being placed under special measures by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) due to ongoing financial difficulties.
The sanctions come after the county entered into a three-year financial framework with the governing body, which will remain in place until 2029.
The ECB confirmed that Sussex recorded an operating loss of £297,000 in 2024, with further losses expected once the club’s 2025 accounts are published.
As part of the agreement under the ECB’s Exceptional Funding Policy, Sussex has accepted a structured loan that must be repaid in full by January 31, 2029, alongside a series of financial and governance conditions.
On the field, the penalties will significantly impact Sussex’s 2026 campaign. In addition to the 12-point deduction in the County Championship, the club will also lose one point each in the Vitality Blast and the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
Similar suspended penalties, including further points deductions and a £100,000 fine, will apply in the 2027 and 2028 seasons if Sussex fail to meet the terms of the agreement.
As seen even among the richest cricket boards, financial oversight measures often include player salary caps, controlled recruitment policies, and the submission of long-term business plans aimed at ensuring consistent year-on-year profits over a defined cycle.
Enhanced governance structures will be introduced, with the ECB granted observer rights at key board meetings and an independent review of board effectiveness.
Interim chief executive Mark West acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the announcement, admitting that a combination of internal decisions and wider economic pressures had contributed to the club’s current position.
He stressed that Sussex accepted the ECB’s ruling and would now focus on stabilising the club’s finances and operations.
Despite the off-field challenges, Sussex showed resilience on the pitch last season, finishing fourth in Division One after earning promotion in 2024.
However, the imposed sanctions have made the task of remaining in the top flight significantly tougher.
Sussex will begin their County Championship campaign with an away fixture against promoted Leicestershire on April 3, before hosting Warwickshire a week later.
While the immediate outlook is challenging, club officials believe the framework provides a clear pathway toward long-term financial stability, allowing Sussex to rebuild on firmer ground both on and off the field.
