Knight Riders break ground on LA cricket venue ahead of Olympic return

The Knight Riders franchise has begun construction on a $21 million cricket venue in the Los Angeles metro area, a project central to cricket’s planned return at the 2028 Olympics. The stadium, located at the Pomona Fairgrounds under a long‑term lease with the city, represents one of Major League Cricket’s most ambitious infrastructure investments. Knight Riders were the first IPL‑affiliated ownership group to enter MLC, and the Pomona facility strengthens the league’s growing footprint in the United States.

The venue will feature a large playing square with eight turf pitches, an initial capacity of 5,000 and expansion to 12,000 by 2027. It is scheduled to host seven matches in early July. Co‑owner Shah Rukh Khan described the project as a step toward embedding cricket within Los Angeles’ sporting culture. ICC chairman Jay Shah hailed the groundbreaking as a milestone for the sport’s Olympic return and a legacy moment for American cricket.