Kent will controversially play a home game outside of the county next summer for the first time in their 140-year history.

The Spitfires will host Essex at The Brit Oval in the new-look Friends Provident T20 Cup competition on Friday, July 9.

Kent hope the game will generate extra revenue - but playing a 'home' game in south-east London is expected to upset many supporters and traditionalists.

Four of the remaining seven home games will be played at Canterbury, two at Beckenham and one at Tunbridge Wells.

The county had considered a return to The Mote in Maidstone - where they haven't played since being deducted eight points by the ECB for a poor pitch in June 2005 - but has decided against the move.

Tunbridge Wells stages the opening game with a local derby against Surrey Sharks. The two fixtures at Beckenham include another local derby against Surrey Brown Caps.

Audio: Kent's acting chief executive Jamie Clifford talks to reporter Luke Hollands about the T20 fixtures

Kent's acting chief executive Jamie Clifford said he thought the club had "a wonderful spread of fixtures for 2010" and they were particularly delighted to be working with the Brit Oval to stage a match.

"It offers a great opportunity for us to maximise our Twenty20 revenues with lots of home fixtures in such a short period of time," he said.

"We want to spread the Kent cricket message far and wide, and the match at the Brit Oval, along with our other venues for matches in 2010, gives us that opportunity."

Kent captain Rob Key said he was delighted they were playing around the county again and was excited by the match at the Brit Oval because of the huge crowds matches there generated.

"I'm sure it will be a great occasion and I think the club is right to try it," he added. "The players and I are all backing the initiative."

All full Kent members will get free access to T20 fixtures next summer with ticket details for non-members to follow soon.

The full list, with venues, is as follows:

• Wednesday, June 9 - Kent Spitfires v Sussex Sharks, Tunbridge Wells
• Friday, June 11 - Kent Spitfires v Middlesex Panthers, Canterbury
• Sunday, June 20 - Kent Spitfires v Somerset Sabres, Beckenham
• Wednesday, June 23 - Kent Spitfires v Surrey Brown Caps, Beckenham
• Friday, July 2 - Kent Spitfires v Hampshire Hawks, Canterbury
• Sunday, July 4 - Kent Spitfires v Gloucestershire Gladiators, Canterbury
• Friday, July 9 - Kent Spitfires v Essex Eagles, The Brit Oval
• Sunday, July 11 - Kent Spitfires v Glamorgan Dragons, Canterbury