USA’s Major League Cricket T2O (MLC) on joining hands with Shah Rukh Khan-owned Knight Riders Group (KRG) plans to build a 10,000-capacity cricket stadium in the city of Irvine in Southern California, about 40 miles away from Los Angeles.
Cricket Stadium in Los Angeles
The proposed site of the new venue is at Great Park in the city of Irvine, located in Orange County about 40 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. According to an MLC source, the new venue is expected to cost in the range of USD 30 million.
The cricket venue will be built on a 15-acre land and the official announcement of the same was made on Friday (April 29). Notably, USA cricket has taken steady strides in recent years with players from India, Pakistan and other nations migrating to America.
Moreover, MLC, as per their contract with USA Cricket, will deliver six world-class cricket stadiums besides conducting the nation’s flagship T20 event, which will be conducted in 2023.
If approved, there would be a tight race for it to be constructed in time for the 2024 men’s T20 World Cup, which USA is co-hosting with the West Indies.
But it will definitely be ready in time to become a prime venue for USA’s attempt to have cricket included as part of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. By extension, it will also then become the home of the Southern California franchise for Major League Cricket.
Meanwhile, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan opened up about his vision of establishing Knight Riders as a global brand.
“Our investment in MLC in America is based on our belief in the exciting future of cricket in the USA and is well-aligned to our strategy of establishing Knight Riders as a global brand in T20 cricket.
Plans to build a world-class cricket stadium in the greater Los Angeles area is exciting for us and MLC. This will no doubt have a transformational impact for cricket in one of the world’s most iconic metropolitan destinations.” said Shahrukh Khan.
“MLC is committed to building outstanding infrastructure for cricket in key markets accessible to legions of cricket-loving fans. We’re grateful to the City of Irvine for agreeing to explore this development in the heart of Orange County.
Great Park’s position as a hub for community recreation and its array of first-class sports facilities makes it an ideal location for the addition of a venue serving the local cricket-loving community and the broader Greater Los Angeles region with major international cricket events set to take place there.” said Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan, Co-Founders, Major League Cricket.
Currently, the Los Angeles area is home to two Minor League Cricket T20 teams, SoCal Lashings and Hollywood Master Blasters. The city’s only turf wicket center is the Woodley Cricket Complex, spiritual home to the region’s cricket since 1975.
Also read: USA Cricket Team Players List, Joining Procedure, and Salary Details
