Vitality Blast is the pinnacle of Twenty20 cricket, and the 2023 season is shaping up to be the best one yet. Find out everything you need to know about the format, teams, fixtures and how you can get tickets here.

Last updated: 01/02/2023 at 10:30 am

Founded in 2003 by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Vitality T20 Blast is the top Twenty20 cricket league in the world. As well as being the sport’s first-ever professional league, it is also the competition that revolutionized cricket and brought the Twenty20 game to prominence.

The ECB’s main objective when creating the Vitality Blast competition was to open cricket up to a wider audience that wouldn't usually be interested in the game, by making it shorter and more fast-paced.

The competition returns again in 2023 for another hard-hitting season of quickfire cricket. Last season champions Hampshire Hawks will be looking to defend their title and make it four league wins in the new season, while Kent Spitfires will be looking to regain their crown from 2020.

Find out everything you need to know about the upcoming Vitality Blast season, including the competition format, fixture dates, the teams involved, and how you can be there in style with premium tickets.

Vitality Blast 2023 format

The league is contested by the 18 English and Welsh top-class counties. The competing teams are divided into two separate divisions, the North Group and the South Group.

The top four teams from each division advance to the postseason playoffs, starting with the quarterfinals. The four winners advance on to the T20 Finals Day, consisting of the semi-finals and final. Finals day is played at the iconic Edgbaston Cricket Ground every year.

The matches are played in a block during the months of July and August, with the intention of utilising the summer school holidays to attract larger crowds.

Vitality Blast 2023 teams

There are 18 teams in the competition every year that play in the North and South divisions, the 2023 teams are as follows:

North Group

Leicestershire Foxes - Joint top division championship wins with three, finished in sixth place last season, and will be eager to climb back up the rankings this year.

Durham Cricket - Have reached the knockouts five times finishing first once but have never won the title. Finished in eighth place last season.

Derbyshire Falcons - Finished in third place last season, but were knocked out in the semi-finals by Somerset CCC. They will be determined to reach the final in 2023.

Lancashire Lightning - Were crowned champions in 2015 after defeating the Northants Steelbacks in the final. They finished as runners-up last year, losing to Hampshire Hawks by one run. They will want to go one better next year to claim their second title.

Northants Steelbacks - Two-time Vitality Blast winners in 2013 and 2016. They finished in seventh place last season after a disappointing run of form.

Notts Outlaws - Finished fifth in last season's campaign and will be aiming for a higher finish in the new season.

Birmingham Bears - Won the competition in 2014, beating Lancashire Lightning in the final. Finished first in the division in 2022, but were badly beaten in the Quarterfinals by Hampshire Hawks. Will be looking to improve their postseason form in 2023.

Worcestershire Rapids - Won their first and only title in the 2018 season, defeating Sussex Sharks by one run. Finished bottom of the division in 2022 after a hugely disappointing season.

Yorkshire Vikings - Have never won the Vitality Blast title. Finished fourth in last season's campaign but were knocked out in the Semis by Lancashire Lightning.

South Group

Hampshire Hawks - The reigning champions with the joint most Vitality Blast championship wins. They beat Lancashire Lightning in the final to win their third title and will be looking to continue their success this season.

Essex Eagles - Won the 2019 Championship after defeating Worcestershire Rapids 145 - 148 in the final. Finished third last season but were knocked out by finalists Lancashire Lightning in the quarterfinals.

Glamorgan - The only Welsh team in the competition, they have never won the Vitality Blast. Finishing sixth last season, they will be looking to break into the top four in 2023.

Gloucestershire - Finished fifth last season, will be disappointed to miss out on a playoff spot and will want to improve next year.

Kent Spitfires - Won the championship in 2007 and 2021 defeating Gloucestershire and Somerset CCC. Finished bottom of the division in 2022 at the end of a disastrous season.

Middlesex Cricket - Won their only championship in 2008, defeating Kent Spitfires in a thrilling final contest. Finished eighth last year in a disappointing campaign and will be eager to improve their position in 2023.

Somerset CCC - Won the 2005 title after beating Lancashire Lightning in the final. Ended the season in second place in 2022, but were defeated by eventual champions Hampshire Hawks in the semi-finals.

Surrey CCC - Winners of the inaugural Vitality Blast title in 2003, beating the Bears in the final. Finished the 2022 season in first place but lost by one run in the quarterfinals to Yorkshire Vikings.

Sussex Sharks - The 2009 champs, beating Somerset CCC to the title. Ended their 2022 campaign in seventh place and will be eager to push for a top-half finish next year.

How can I get Vitality T20 Blast premium tickets and hospitality?

The 2023 season of the Vitality Blast is shaping up to be a fantastically exciting, hard-hitting season of Twenty20 cricket. With last season's top dogs battling it out again for league dominance and the lower teams looking to progress up the ranks, you don't want to miss any of the action.

Why not enhance your matchday experience and go for a more luxurious option, with a premium ticket or hospitality package? Seat Unique is delighted to extend fan access to Vitality Blast tickets for a number of the T20 teams for the upcoming season.

Seat Unique's T20 Blast Stand
Image: Seat Unique T20 Blast Stand 

Seat Unique is proud to be officially working with Durham, Edgbaston, Warwickshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, Hampshire and Leicestershire Cricket Clubs, to extend fan access to VIP hospitality matchday experiences through our trusted online platform.

Benefit from unrivalled views of the action from your luxury padded seating, and soak up the fantastic matchday atmosphere from the best seats in the house. Dine on multiple courses of mouth-watering meals and enjoy a mix of premium beverages from a private bar.

Premium tickets and hospitality for 2023 Vitality Blast fixtures are available to purchase now for select teams.

Get yours at Seat Unique and watch some of the world's best players light up the league in 2023.

If you’re a big cricket fan, Seat Unique also offers hospitality for the Royal London Cup, County Championships and The Hundred competitions. Check out our website for more Cricket Hospitality.