The Los Angeles Knight Riders are opening their new cricket ground in Pomona, a significant milestone for the sport in the United States as it prepares for its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics.
Cricket in the US
The Knight Riders Cricket Ground, located at the Fairplex in Pomona, is the Major League Cricket team’s first permanent home after playing at temporary fields for the previous three seasons. The team’s first match at the new venue was scheduled against the Washington Freedom.
According to Major League Cricket CEO Johnny Grave, the goal is to grow the sport in the country, which is currently the second biggest sport in the world but not yet big in the US.
Facilities and Expansion
The purpose-built cricket ground was constructed in about 100 days, with crews moving approximately 32,000 metric tons of earth to shape the area. The venue is in its first construction phase, with Phase 2 including a practice and training center and Phase 3 being a revamp in preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
The Knight Riders are in their fourth season in the six-team league, with plans to expand in the coming years. The team is part of the Knight Riders Sports group, which operates teams worldwide in India, the Caribbean, and the United Arab Emirates.
Olympic Inclusion
Cricket is set to return to the Olympics in 2028, after last being featured in the 1900 Paris Olympics. The sport will be part of the Olympic program, with the first matches taking place on July 12, two days before the Opening Ceremony.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
