Sussex will start the 2026 County Championship season with a 12-point deduction after being placed under special measures by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), following ongoing financial concerns. The county will also operate under strict financial and sporting restrictions for the next three years.

The ECB imposed the sanctions after Sussex reported an operating loss of £297,000 in 2024, with further losses expected when the club’s 2025 accounts are finalised. Under the ECB’s Exceptional Funding Policy, Sussex has entered a three-year financial framework in exchange for a structured loan, which must be fully repaid by January 31, 2029.

Former chief executive Pete Fitzboydon stepped down last summer for undisclosed reasons, with Mark West currently overseeing operations on an interim basis. A permanent replacement is yet to be appointed. As part of the agreement, Sussex has committed to governance reforms, granting the ECB oversight of board meetings.

The club will also face restrictions on men’s player salary expenditure for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons, along with a requirement to reduce operating losses already projected for 2025–26.

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On the field, Sussex’s task of retaining their Division One status has been made more difficult by the points penalty. Similar deductions will apply in both the T20 Blast and the One-Day Cup, while additional penalties could be enforced in 2027 and 2028 if financial targets are not met. A suspended fine of £100,000 also hangs over the club.

Despite their off-field struggles, Sussex enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign, finishing fourth in Division One, level on points with Warwickshire and Essex but separated on matches won.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould said the decision was aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability across the county game. He stressed that exceptional funding was designed to give Sussex time to address its underlying issues while maintaining fairness across the county network.

West acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the sanctions, admitting that a mix of failed growth strategies and broader economic pressures had contributed to the situation. He said the club’s focus was now on strengthening governance and securing a more stable and sustainable future.