The Oval is a cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth, that has served as the home of Surrey County Cricket Club since it opened in 1845. Built on what had once been a market garden, the ground was laid out after roughly 10,000 turfs were brought in from Tooting Common to create its playing surface.
Owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and operated by Surrey CCC, The Oval became a landmark in English sporting history when it hosted the first Test match played in England in September 1880. Long before it settled into life as a cricket-only venue, it also staged early football and rugby internationals, including the first FA Cup final in 1872.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Surrey County Cricket Club; England cricket team
- Location: Kennington, London Borough of Lambeth, England
- Opened: 1845
- Capacity: About 27,500
- Owner: Duchy of Cornwall
- Notable fact: First ground in England to host international Test cricket (1880)
A Cricket Ground with Multi-Sport Roots
Although The Oval is best known today purely as a cricket venue, its early history included other sports entirely. It hosted the first FA Cup final in 1872 and continued to stage finals through 1892, and it was also the site of England’s earliest football and rugby international matches during the 1870s.
Since 1880, however, its identity has been defined by Test cricket. The ground traditionally hosts the final match of England’s home Test summer, giving it a reputation as the stage for some of the sport’s most dramatic season-ending finishes.
Records on the Field
The Oval has been the setting for some remarkable individual and team performances over its long history. England’s innings of 903 for 7 declared against Australia in August 1938 remains the highest team total ever recorded in a Test match at the ground.
Individual milestones have piled up there too, with Len Hutton and Ian Botham among the England players who built significant career records across their Test appearances at the venue.
Explore more: Explore more legendary stadiums.
The Oval FAQs
When did The Oval open?
The Oval opened in 1845 as the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club.
What is the capacity of The Oval?
The Oval has a capacity of about 27,500 spectators.
Why is The Oval historically significant?
It was the first ground in England to host international Test cricket, in September 1880, and it also staged the first FA Cup final in 1872.
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Photo: Mark Percy / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.