Grand Prairie will turn into residence to the U.S. governing overall body of the 2nd-most-viewed sport in the world adhering to a $13 million stadium renovation in the North Texas metropolis.
Usa Cricket, in partnership with the newly established Major League Cricket, will start operations at the just about 80,000-square-foot stadium of the former Texas AirHogs insignificant league baseball team, with alterations scheduled to be done by mid- to late 2022.
The privately funded task contains a new pure grass field, modifications to the present 5,400 seating capacity and more restrooms. Situated at 1600 Lone Star Parkway, the facility will host just one of the six inaugural Major League Cricket teams, the names of which have but to be announced.
“There is a huge cricket fanbase in America that is been starved of actually powerful domestic cricket currently being played in the U.S.,” mentioned Important League Cricket vice president of company progress William Swann.
Cricket, a bat-and-ball activity initial performed in England, is wildly preferred across the world, in particular in international locations that had been formerly British colonies, such as India and Australia. There are 2.5 billion cricket followers globally, according to WorldAtlas.
Bringing Usa Cricket to the Dallas-Fort Truly worth area was an effortless decision, Swann said, largely for the reason that of the potent cricket subsequent in the area led by expats from international locations where by cricket is more popular.
The location presently boasts quite a few club cricket teams through the Dallas Cricket League, which hosts men’s, women’s and youth leagues that contend at cricket grounds throughout North Texas. Gamers as younger as 6 many years old take part in coaching academies and tournaments. The league’s web site says it has 2,500 active cricket players.
The Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium venture has been in the works for almost 3 many years, claimed Marty Wieder, director of financial growth for the Town of Grand Prairie. The town owns the stadium and Swann is mentioned as the main tenant.
Grand Prairie will preferably host the U.S. men’s and women’s national groups, as effectively as other global competitions, in addition to major league games. The U.S. is trying to get a joint bid to host the 2024 Cricket Environment Cup, which Swann said could be hugely rewarding for Grand Prairie.
Minimal League Cricket, a U.S. developmental league, started enjoying its initially online games this summer months and hosts a group at a McKinney facility identified as the Irving Mustangs.
Wieder stated the town is eager to deliver a everlasting household for cricket to the spot. With close proximity to DFW Worldwide Airport, the facility could increase the regional economy, he stated.
“From a big league element, to be ready to relatively be the birthplace of Key League Cricket is huge,” he stated.
