LAKRs Groundbreaking of MLC & LA28 Cricket Venue

Los Angeles Cricket welcomes the groundbreaking of the cricket stadium at Pomona in Los Angeles County, California by the Los Angeles Knight Riders; a monumental step forward for the sport locally and globally.

A ceremony marking the occasion was held at the Fairplex Grounds in Pomona on Wednesday, April 22nd, signaling the beginning of a huge undertaking, a project that will play a central role in cricket’s return to the Olympic stage at the 2028 Summer Olympics after 128 years. 

Los Angeles Cricket was honoreod to be present at the ceremony which brought together key leaders connected to the project and the city, notably the speakers at the event: Venky Mysore (LAKR), Eric Garcetti (former Mayor of Los Angeles and former U.S.
Ambassador to India), Niccolò Campriani (VP LA2028), Tim Sandoval (Mayor of Pomona), K. J. Srinivasa (Indian Counsulate LA), Sanjog Gupta (ICC Chief Executive), and Walter Marquez (President of Fairplex).

Addressing the audience, Venky Mysore spoke about the monumental significance of the occasion:

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 U.S. 

Speaking on the milestone, Jay Shah described it as a significant moment for the game and its global audience in a celebratory statement by the ICC:

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.

Also present at the ceremony, Sanjog Gupta highlighted the broader global momentum behind the sport:

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.”

From a Los Angeles Cricket perspective, this development represents a meaningful shift—bringing long-awaited infrastructure to a region where the game has grown steadily through community efforts for decades.

The inclusion of cricket in LA28 is widely viewed as an opportunity to expand the sport beyond its traditional strongholds and make a lasting impact across the Americas. Increased visibility, funding opportunities, and participation are expected to follow—particularly with the fast-paced T20 format set to feature in both men’s and women’s competitions.

Ahead of the LA 2028 Games, the Fairplex venue will also serve as the home ground for the Los Angeles Knight Riders, hosting matches beginning July 1 as part of Major League Cricket. The countdown to professional cricket in Los Angeles has officially begun. For Los Angeles Cricket and the broader community, the groundbreaking is more than a ceremony—it is the beginning of a new phase where global vision and local growth finally meet on the same field. The pro foundation is set in LA. The work doesn’t stop. 🏏✨