Pomona Breaks Ground on 10,000‑Seat Cricket Stadium Ahead of 2028 Olympics

Cricket has long been played in U.S. immigrant communities, especially those from South Asia, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom. While the sport enjoys strong followings in those circles, it has struggled to break into the broader American sports market. The new Pomona facility, located at the Fairplex fairgrounds, will be the home field of the Los Angeles Knight Riders, a Major League Cricket franchise co‑led by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. The groundbreaking ceremony included a traditional bhumi pujan, a Hindu ritual seeking blessings for the project.

The stadium will accommodate more than 10,000 spectators for men’s and women’s matches. Venky Mysore, CEO of Knight Riders Sports, said that Olympic inclusion would take interest and awareness of cricket to the next level, reaching viewers who are not already fans. Currently the United States has only three international‑level cricket stadiums, situated in Texas, Florida and North Carolina. The Pomona venue will be the fourth such facility and the first purpose‑built stadium for the Knight Riders franchise.

Adding a dedicated cricket ground in a major media market like Los Angeles could help the sport attract sponsorships, broadcast deals and grassroots participation. Organizers hope that hosting Olympic matches in Pomona will keep athletes within the Olympic Village, avoiding the logistical split seen in previous Games where cricket was played elsewhere. Skeptics note that sustaining interest after the Olympics will require regular league play and youth development programs. The project also raises questions about long‑term viability, given the limited history of cricket‑specific venues in the U.S.

Monitor ticket sales for the inaugural Knight Riders home series, any announcements regarding Olympic cricket scheduling, and whether additional cities pursue similar stadium projects ahead of the 2028 Games.