At a glance
- LA 2028 cricket stadium in Pomona set to host Olympic matches and Major League Cricket games from July
- Indian Premier League eyes United States expansion with potential exhibition matches at new venue
- Los Angeles Knight Riders base aims for world class pitches ahead of Olympic cricket return in 2028
Cricket’s Olympic return in Los Angeles is beginning to take shape with fresh ambition that stretches well beyond 2028. Plans for the new venue in Southern California now carry the promise of future Indian Premier League involvement, a prospect that hints at the sport’s growing reach in North America.
Work has started at Fairplex in Pomona, the site chosen to host Olympic cricket when the Games arrive in Los Angeles. The ground is set to become the base for the Los Angeles Knight Riders. The United States franchise linked to Kolkata Knight Riders, and will stage matches in Major League Cricket as early as July.
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LA 2028 Olympic Stadium Build Gains Momentum
The stadium is being developed in phases, starting with a capacity of 5,000 this year before expanding to 8,500 in 2027 and eventually reaching 15,000 for the Olympic tournament. It is a measured build, but one designed with long term ambition in mind.
Venky Mysore, chief executive of Kolkata Knight Riders, believes the venue could one day host exhibition matches from the Indian Premier League. While scheduling remains a major obstacle, the idea continues to gather interest within the sport’s leadership.
IPL Expansion Plans Target United States Market
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has previously explored sending teams abroad for exhibition fixtures as part of efforts to grow the game globally. The United States remains a key target, widely viewed as one of the most lucrative untapped sports markets.
Efforts to bring IPL teams to North America have surfaced before, with Mysore confirming that officials have considered proposals from both the United States and Canada, but none have materialised so far. He also sees clear potential in aligning with the rise of Major League Cricket to strengthen cricket’s foothold.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Mysore outlined both the ambition and the challenges of expanding the Indian Premier League into new markets:
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful? The challenge is always player availability. Once the IPL season is over, everyone’s calendars are packed and they’re running in different directions.
“But the BCCI has talked about a couple of teams going out and playing exhibition games to grow cricket, so that’s always on the agenda.”
World Class Venue Planned for Olympic Return
Organisers in Pomona are focusing on delivering a venue worthy of the Olympic stage. They aim to avoid pitch issues seen at the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup in New York. Temporary surfaces there drew heavy criticism and failed to meet expectations.
Organisers have taken a traditional approach this time. They are constructing a permanent square using local clay and Tahoma turf. They are also preparing eight pitches and a dedicated practice area which will help the surface fully mature before the Games.
Mysore has been clear about the priority. The playing conditions, he insists, must meet the highest standards in world cricket. Investment has been significant, and confidence is high that the venue will stand alongside the best in the game.
Multi Use Vision and Olympic Legacy
Early signs are encouraging. The square is already in place, the outfield is taking shape, and infrastructure including floodlights is progressing on schedule. Seven Major League Cricket matches are due to be held at the ground between 1–5 July, offering an early test of its readiness.
There is also a possibility that the venue could stage a qualifying event to determine the final Olympic entrant. Though confirmation from the International Cricket Council is still pending.
Beyond cricket, the site is being envisioned as a multi use destination. With a long term lease secured by the Los Angeles Knight Riders, plans include hosting concerts and other sporting events, transforming the venue into a year round entertainment hub.
Organisers will stage both men’s and women’s tournaments in Pomona when cricket returns to the Olympic programme after more than a century, with ticket prices ranging from $28 to $500 and offering fans access to a moment that could mark a turning point for the sport in the United States.
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