The Knight Riders’ home ground in America has created significant buzz among cricket fans across the globe. As the United States of America is considered one of the biggest markets in sports, the stadium will take a significant role in the expansion of cricket in the nation.
It is now confirmed that the home ground of the Los Angeles Knight Riders, which is under development in the southern Californian city of Pomona, officially known as Fairplex, will be used as the official cricket ground for the 2028 Olympics. In the 2028 Olympics, cricket will mark its return to the world’s largest sports carnival.
Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore is hopeful to host IPL teams in their own home ground
Furthermore, Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive Venky Mysore has informed that they are in talks with multiple governing bodies to host a couple of exhibition matches as well as involving the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams. Hosting IPL teams for a few matches is a lifelong dream for the American and Canadian cricket governing boards.
Mysore has informed that they had a brief conversation with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well regarding this as with the concern of the Indian cricket board, they will not be able to host IPL teams in America. The KKR official is hopeful to arrange a couple of exhibition matches there, with the support of BCCI and the other cricket governing boards.
Discussions have already been initiated with the cricket governing boards
“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,” Venky Mysore, the CEO of the Kolkata Knight Riders, told the BBC Sport.
“This is my 16th season with the IPL and we’ve tried every year, but somehow it hasn’t happened. There’s a real opportunity to piggyback on what’s happening with MLC to grow the market further. When viewership goes up, it has a positive effect on things like media rights. It makes a lot of sense. But first things first – we have to deliver what we’ve started here,” he further added.
Stadium capacity will gradually increase year by year
The construction work has already begun. At the initial stage, the crowd capacity of the stadium will be 5,000. By 2027, it will be increased to 8,500, and then up to 15,000 for the six-team T20 tournament for LA 2028.
Knight Riders’ home ground will host the Major League Cricket (MLC) matches as well. If things go according to plan, then on April 1, the Purple brigade will play its first-ever match at Pomona. Seven MLC matches are scheduled to take place at the venue between 1 and 5 July.
To host the high-profile matches, top end meterials are in use to create a modern stadium with a good quality pitch and outfield as well.
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