LONDON (AP) — Surrey County Cricket Club is inviting remote workers to join them at The Kia Oval in south London while catching a match. This effort aims to attract more fans to the historic 180-year-old stadium.
The club has upgraded its Wi-Fi and set up work areas with desks, power outlets, and great views of the game. They’ve even created a fun name for the initiative: “Work From Oval.” Workers can enjoy their job without worrying about their bosses finding out.
Over the winter, the club hosted three home games, attracting hundreds of remote workers. During a recent match against Sussex, over 6,000 fans attended, boosted by good weather and a long day of cricket.
Harry Ashton, who normally works in a coworking space, found the experience enjoyable. He paid just £15 to work at the Oval for the day. “It’s not as nice as my local club,” he joked, but still appreciated the unique setting.
The club hopes this trend will continue, with more people choosing to work while enjoying live cricket. However, some workers are still hesitant due to concerns about how they’ll be perceived. Despite this, many see it as a positive step toward attracting new audiences to the sport.