In a significant boost to cricket's global growth, the Knight Riders Group has officially inaugurated its new international-standard cricket stadium in the United States. The Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Los Angeles made its debut by hosting its first Major League Cricket (MLC) match between the Los Angeles Knight Riders and Washington Freedom on Wednesday.
Located at Fairplex Pomona, the purpose-built venue marks a major milestone for cricket infrastructure in the US, making the Knight Riders the first global franchise to establish and operate its own international-standard cricket stadium outside its home country.
Marking the occasion, Bollywood actor and Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan shared an emotional message on social media, thanking those who played a role in bringing the project to life. He acknowledged the support of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, the International Cricket Council (ICC), and Sanjog Gupta for helping transform the vision into reality.
"What started as a dream turns into reality today," Shah Rukh Khan wrote on Instagram.
"A place built not just for sports but also entertainment and for families and memories that last forever.
"Special thanks to Jaybhai who has been too kind through this journey @JayShah220988, & @ICC and Sanjog Gupta for being so supportive. This is for LA, for cricket fans across the globe, and for the Knight Riders family. Believe in Purple and Gold."
A world-class cricket venue
Built to international specifications, the stadium features a central square with eight natural turf pitches, six 120-foot floodlight towers designed for night matches, and an arena constructed after relocating more than 32,000 metric tonnes of earth.
Speaking at the inauguration, Knight Riders Sports CEO Venky Mysore described the facility as a major step towards expanding cricket's footprint in the United States. The stadium is set to host a series of Major League Cricket matches from July 1 to July 5, strengthening Southern California's position as a key cricket destination ahead of the sport's return at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
While the Los Angeles Knight Riders began their new home campaign with a six-wicket defeat to Washington Freedom, the opening fixture marked the beginning of what the franchise hopes will be a lasting contribution to cricket's development in the United States.
