Historic Major League Cricket Match Kicks Off at Knight Riders Cricket Ground

The Los Angeles Knight Riders faced off against the Washington Freedom in the first-ever Major League Cricket match at the Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Pomona. This historic event not only highlights the growing popularity of cricket in the US but also sets the stage for future Olympic cricket events. Co-owner Shah Rukh Khan celebrated the occasion on social media, thanking key officials for their support in realizing this ambitious project. The state-of-the-art stadium features impressive facilities, marking a significant milestone in sports infrastructure.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 2, 2026, 18:05 IST

Major League Cricket Debuts in Pomona

The inaugural Major League Cricket match took place at the Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Pomona, featuring the Los Angeles Knight Riders against the Washington Freedom. This event marked a significant milestone, as the venue is set to host cricket during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Unfortunately for the home team, they faced a defeat, with Washington Freedom winning the 16th match of the tournament by six wickets on Wednesday. The Knight Riders have made history by establishing the first global franchise cricket stadium overseas, showcasing a remarkable achievement in sports infrastructure.

Shah Rukh Khan Expresses Gratitude

Shah Rukh Khan Thanks Jay Shah

Shah Rukh Khan, the Bollywood star and co-owner of the Knight Riders, took to social media to commemorate this landmark event. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to key figures in the sport for helping realize a long-cherished dream. Khan specifically acknowledged the International Cricket Council and ICC Chairman Jay Shah for their invaluable support in bringing this ambitious project to fruition. In his Instagram post, he stated, "What started as a dream turns into reality today. A place built not just for sports but also entertainment and for families and memories that last forever. Special thanks to Jay bhai, 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 (sic)."

Stadium Features and Design

The newly built stadium boasts impressive features, including six towering 120-foot floodlights for night broadcasts, a design that involved relocating over 32,000 metric tonnes of soil, and a spacious main square with eight natural turf wickets. Constructed to meet elite international standards, this venue is one of the few purpose-built cricket grounds in the United States and serves as the inaugural home for the Los Angeles Knight Riders.