A new chapter for cricket in the United States began on Wednesday, as the groundbreaking ceremony for the Knight Riders Cricket Ground was held in Pomona, California, with ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta describing the venue as “cricket’s home for LA28.” The venue is expected to play a key role in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where cricket will return after 128 years.
The event took place just over a month after it was confirmed that the Los Angeles Knight Riders will use the ground as their home venue for the 2026 Major League Cricket (MLC) season. According to a statement from the Knight Riders, the development represents “a landmark moment for cricket in the United States” and highlights Los Angeles as an emerging hub for the sport.
International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah described the occasion as an important milestone in cricket’s global journey.
“These are very exciting times for the game of cricket as it makes giant strides in establishing itself as a global sport. Our focus has been on expanding the footprint of cricket and being part of the Olympic movement is something that brings both pride and dreams with it,” Shah said in a statement.
“The groundbreaking marks an important milestone in cricket’s return to the Olympics and is a proud moment for all ICC members and stakeholders worldwide. We’re confident this venue will take centre stage during the Games and leave a legacy for cricket in the USA,” he added.
Initially, the venue at Fairplex will host matches for LAKR in the upcoming MLC season, with a total of seven games scheduled, including the team’s first three home fixtures between July 1 and July 5.
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is a co-owner of Knight Riders Sports, said the project goes beyond just building a stadium.
“Today isn’t just about breaking ground, but about beginning a dream – bringing cricket, the second most-watched sport in the world, into the heart of Los Angeles’ sporting identity,” he said.
“Through our long-term partnership with Fairplex, we aim to create not just a cricket ground, but a space of energy, community, and belonging.”
Knight Riders Sports CEO Venky Mysore called it a defining moment for the franchise and the sport in the country.
“This is a defining moment, not just for the Knight Riders, but for cricket in America. We see strong potential to grow the game and connect with the community in Southern California to lead this next phase of cricket’s growth in the US,” Mysore said.
Sanjog Gupta, who was also present at the ceremony, highlighted the broader significance of the project in the context of the Olympics.
“The journey over the next two years will see many such milestones which enhance the sense of occasion, culture and community, as cricket’s home for LA28 is built in Pomona. With the inclusion in the Olympic Games and other regional multi-sport events, cricket has already stepped into a new era of global growth powered by improved accessibility, elevated visibility and stronger institutional support.”
Pomona mayor Tim Sandoval and LA28 vice-president of sports Niccolo Campriani were also present at the ceremony.