Following the outstanding success of our previous Lord’s hospitality events, we are delighted to once again present the Lord’s Long Room Lunch, hosted within the hallowed surroundings of the spiritual Home of Cricket.
For 2026, we are thrilled to announce that our first confirmed special guests will be Chris Woakes and David Gower. Woakes, one of England’s most respected and accomplished all-rounders, has been a pivotal figure in England’s success across all formats over the past decade, playing a crucial role in Ashes series victories, ICC tournaments and major home Test matches at Lord’s, where his name is proudly etched on the Honours Boards.
He will be joined by David Gower, one of England’s most elegant and celebrated batsmen and a former England captain. Renowned for his effortless style and leadership during England’s famous 1985 Ashes triumph, Gower brings a wealth of experience from both his playing career and his long-standing role as one of cricket’s most respected broadcasters.
They will be joined by one further high-profile special guest, to be confirmed, completing a panel that promises world-class insight, storytelling and entertainment. This additional guest will continue the tradition of welcoming legendary figures of the game to Lord’s.
Cricket continues to evolve at pace, and with England navigating a demanding international calendar and a new generation shaping the future of the sport, the 2026 Long Room Lunch offers a unique opportunity to hear expert views on the challenges, triumphs and defining moments that lie ahead, all within one of the most iconic settings in world sport.
Special Guests to be announced
Our third special guests will be announced shortly and will include a leading overseas name. Previous Lord’s Long Room Lunch events have welcomed legendary figures such as Brian Lara, Graeme Smith, Steve Waugh and Glenn McGrath, underlining the calibre of guest our attendees can expect.
Chris Woakes
Chris Woakes is one of England’s most respected all-round cricketers, renowned for his consistency, professionalism, and impact at the highest level. A Warwickshire stalwart, he has been a key figure for England across formats since making his international debut in 2011. Woakes played an important role in England’s 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup triumph and has been instrumental in Ashes series victories, particularly in home conditions, being named ‘Player of the Series’ in the 2023 Ashes. His outstanding record at Lord’s Cricket Ground has earned him several mentions on the famous Honours Boards, underlining his reputation as a big-match performer.
Across his England career, Chris featured in 62 Test matches, scoring over 2,000 runs at an average of 25, and taking 192 wickets at under 30 apiece, while in 122 One Day Internationals he claimed 173 wickets and contributed more than 1,500 runs. He also represented England in 33 T20 Internationals, winning the T20 World Cup in 2022, adding further depth to his all-format credentials. Renowned for his skill with the new ball, valuable lower-order batting and exceptional fielding, Chris is widely admired for his calm approach and deep understanding of the modern game. Renowned as one of cricket’s “nice guys”, his experience across Test cricket, World Cups and major franchise leagues makes him an engaging and insightful guest for the Lord’s Long Room Lunch.
David Gower
David Gower is one of England’s most elegant and naturally gifted cricketers, renowned for his effortless batting style, leadership and enduring contribution to the game. A former England captain, Gower was a central figure in English cricket throughout the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, earning widespread admiration for his grace at the crease and ability to perform on the biggest stages. He played a pivotal role in England’s Ashes success and led the side to a famous 5-1 series victory over Australia in 1985, one of the most celebrated triumphs in modern English cricket history.
Across an outstanding international career, Gower represented England in 117 Test matches, scoring over 8,000 runs at an average above 44, including 18 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he made 114 appearances, contributing more than 3,000 runs and captaining England during a key period of development in the limited-overs format. At domestic level, he enjoyed a distinguished county career with Leicestershire and Hampshire, becoming one of the most stylish and consistent batsmen of his generation.
Since retiring from professional cricket, David has become one of the sport’s most respected broadcasters and commentators, particularly through his long-standing work with Sky Sports. Known for his wit, insight and deep understanding of the game, Gower remains a hugely popular figure both on and off the field, making him an engaging and authoritative guest for premium cricket events such as the Lord’s Long Room Lunch.
Dave Fulton
Dave enjoyed a 15 year career with Kent, playing in 200 First Class matches with an average in the high 30s, and over 100 one day games. His best season came in 2001, when he scored an incredible 1892 First Class runs at an average of just under 76, being crowned PCA Player of the Year. Since retiring from the game in 2006, Dave has forged a career as a cricket journalist and event host, appearing regularly on Sky Sports’ cricket coverage. In 1993 he took the catch to dismiss Viv Richards in his final First Class innings! We are delighted to have Dave hosting our event!
Emiy Haig
We are delighted to welcome one of the UK’s best vocalists to sing between courses at our lunch. Emily’s powerhouse soprano vocals, spellbinding and dramatic performance and stunning looks, ensure that she immediately commands the stage and engages with her audience. Emily has been honoured to perform the National Anthem 27 times at Wembley Stadium, 5 times at Silverstone Circuit and Twickenham Stadium, plus amongst others, the Olympic Park, Motorpoint Arena, Copper Box and Ricoh Stadium, all of which were internationally live broadcast to millions worldwide.
Lord’s Long Room
Renowned as “the most evocative four walls in the world of cricket”, the Long Room in the Lords Pavilion has been at the epicentre of the game for time immemorial. Artwork from across the centuries adorns every wall, with the haughty gazes of the likes of WG Grace and Sir Jack Hobbs mingling with more modern icons of the game, such as Sir Ian Botham and Shane Warne. The service and catering in the Long Room are of the very highest calibre, as befits such a magnificent venue; you and your guests are sure to be enchanted by the whole experience.
