Essex’s 2025 Vitality Blast campaign begins with a double-header against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl on Friday 30 May.
The action then moves to The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford, for the team’s first home matches of the season, starting with a Blast-Off clash against Somerset on Sunday 01 June, followed by another exciting double-header against Glamorgan.
All 18 first-class counties will host at least one men’s and women’s Vitality Blast double-header, marking a historic milestone in domestic T20 cricket. For the first time, every women’s and men’s county team will compete side by side in the Vitality Blast, renowned for its thrilling action and passionate, diverse fanbase.
As the men’s Vitality Blast enters its 22nd year, the 2025 season promises to be the biggest yet. Women’s teams will feature in two tournaments: the eight Tier One counties will play alongside the men in the Vitality Blast, while the remaining 10 counties will compete in the Vitality Blast Women’s League 2.
The 2025 season will feature 52 men’s and women’s double-headers across 20 venues. The action kicks off with the Blast-Off weekend (May 29–June 01), including 10 double-headers and all eight women’s Vitality Blast teams in action. Fans can also look forward to the return of Rivals Week in the men’s competition, with Essex taking on the Kent Spitfires at Chelmsford on Friday 20 June.
The group stage will culminate in a thrilling ‘Friday Finale’ on July 18. Essex’s men’s team will face Kent Spitfires at the St. Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, while the women’s team takes on Durham at Chelmsford.
Women’s teams will compete for three coveted Finals Day spots, while men’s teams battle to secure quarter-final berths, with eight men’s and all eight women’s teams in action that evening.
The Vitality Blast Men’s Finals Day, one of cricket’s most iconic events, will take place at Edgbaston on Saturday 13 September. Meanwhile, the inaugural Vitality Blast Women’s Finals Day will be held at the Kia Oval on Sunday 27 July.
