Jaimesyn Kellogg delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem during match 16 of the Cognizant Major League Cricket season 4, which saw the LA Knight Riders face off against the Washington Freedom at the Fairplex LAKR Cricket Ground in Pomona, California, on July 1, 2026. Photo by Shaun Roy / Sportzpics for MLC.
A significant international sports competition is underway, with several matches taking place in North Texas. While it may not be as familiar to many as the dominant four major U.S. sports, this emerging sport aims to capture a larger share of the American market.
“The Soccer World Cup is always a major event. Being in the States while it’s happening creates a massive buzz,” remarked Carmi le Roux of the Los Angeles Knight Riders.
As a South African, le Roux was likely pleased to witness his homeland advance to the knockout rounds of the FIFA Men’s World Cup. Competing as a bowler in Major League Cricket, he is part of a league that kicked off its season at Grand Prairie Stadium before heading to Oakland and Pomona. The teams will return to Grand Prairie for eight games over five days starting July 8, culminating their 2026 season back at the Oakland Coliseum.
Organizers of Major League Cricket are eager to see their sport develop in the U.S. in a manner akin to soccer’s growth.
“Rugby and cricket are observing soccer, asking themselves, ‘How can we replicate that success?’ That’s certainly our ambition,” said Johnny Grave, CEO of Major League Cricket. “We understand that this journey won’t lead to immediate stardom, but what we’ve initiated with Major League Cricket and Minor League Cricket, along with developing facilities like the one in Grand Prairie, marks the beginning of cricket’s evolution in the United States.”
As they play in World Cup markets, cricket officials are looking for insights on how soccer transitioned from an afterthought to a powerful commercial and sporting entity.
“FIFA is thriving. If we look back 34 years, soccer was virtually nonexistent in America, and it took 32 years to reach a certain level of prominence,” stated Anurag Jain, co-owner of the Texas Super Kings MLC club. “The success of the women’s soccer team and other developments have significantly fueled interest and excitement.”
Both soccer and cricket have roots in the U.S. dating back to the 19th century, yet they have lagged behind other sports in popularity. The 1960s saw a dedicated group of Americans work to elevate soccer’s profile, aided by the 1994 Men’s World Cup and the establishment of a professional league. Jain emphasized that the U.S. Women’s National Team’s achievements played a crucial role in the sport’s growth, coupled with grassroots participation and investment from European clubs.
North Texas played a pivotal role in popularizing soccer, largely due to the late Lamar Hunt and his family’s visionary efforts.
“I’ve had numerous conversations with the Hunts. They were ahead of their time, and their contributions to soccer are remarkable,” Jain remarked.
One key strategy embraced by the Hunts was the construction of stadiums specifically designed for soccer.
“Top-notch facilities are essential. You shouldn’t build them too large; that’s a valuable lesson. Instead, create opportunities for future expansion,” advised Dan Hunt, president of FC Dallas, during an interview at the opening of Texas Health Mansfield Stadium, the new venue for North Texas SC of MLS Next Pro.
Jain and other cricket advocates are taking this advice to heart. “We are focused on building stadiums across the country,” he noted. However, cricket’s adaptability is limited, as its field dimensions differ significantly from those of baseball, American football, and soccer.
“This presents our biggest hurdle, as baseball, football, and soccer fields do not match the required dimensions for cricket,” Grave explained. “Therefore, we must invest heavily in creating customized venues, which can be quite costly.” Modifications have already been made to baseball facilities in Grand Prairie and Oakland, with plans for additional cricket pitches in the pipeline.
When Major League Soccer launched in 1996, it lacked soccer-specific stadiums and struggled to draw top international talent. Major League Cricket has an advantage that MLS did not: its season does not coincide with the schedules of top leagues worldwide. The commitment to attracting elite international cricketers was integral from the start.
“We bring the world’s best players to compete alongside local talent for a month. This is how the cricket calendar operates,” said Grave. “We essentially own this calendar period, which is remarkable for a sport that holds a relatively minor place in the U.S. yet occupies a unique position in the global cricket landscape during this window.”
MLC begins its season shortly after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and wraps up before England’s The Hundred, allowing it to draw quality players from countries where cricket is popular. The IPL, widely recognized as the premier cricket league globally, attracts substantial investment in MLC clubs, enhancing their branding and expertise.
One challenge faced by MLS was the allure of overseas clubs that appealed to both established fans and new ones, complicating local clubs’ efforts to build a loyal following. U.S. supporters of the IPL often find themselves drawn to American versions of their favorite franchises, leading to a blend of fans donning kits from both Indian and American teams at matches.
Cricket boasts billions of fans worldwide, though their distribution is not as even as soccer’s, being primarily rooted in former British colonies. However, just as soccer attracted early supporters from the diverse American melting pot, cricket has the potential to cultivate a domestic fanbase through its international roster.
“We broadcast on major networks in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, South Africa, and India, guaranteeing millions will watch our games globally. This global brand awareness will serve a wealthy cricket fanbase that is currently underserved by other sports,” Grave stated. “It’s a burgeoning market in the U.S., particularly among South Asian audiences.”
Residents with heritage from countries like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka often belong to high-income demographics that attract sponsors, whose involvement can drive the game’s growth through financial support and increased visibility. Furthermore, the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will offer a unique opportunity to elevate the sport.
“I believe we will see a significant boost from the Olympics due to our status as the host nation,” Jain remarked, recognizing the event’s potential to generate interest in cricket for the first time since 1900. “The Olympics can serve as a catalyst, much like it did for women’s soccer in the U.S.”
The Olympics have historically sparked interest in less familiar sports, as evidenced by the success of the U.S. Women’s National Team, which won the inaugural Olympic women’s tournament on home soil in Atlanta in 1996. This success propelled U.S. women’s soccer into the spotlight, prompting other nations to invest in their programs. Jain highlighted that China’s athletic authorities have begun to focus resources on cricket since its inclusion in the LA28 Games.
Cricket enjoys the advantage of showcasing both men’s and women’s competitions at LA28, avoiding the lengthy delay that women’s soccer faced before gaining Olympic recognition.
“It’s essential for cricket to be inclusive of both genders,” Hunt emphasized.
Corey Anderson, a New Zealander who plays for MI New York in MLC, expressed the significance of Olympic representation. “Competing for the U.S. at the Olympics is a pinnacle experience in world sport, especially in our own country,” he stated. As the host nation, the U.S. will automatically qualify for the Olympic cricket tournaments.
Winning is undoubtedly beneficial, and while the U.S. teams may face challenges in medaling, the men’s squad previously achieved a notable upset against cricket powerhouse Pakistan during a T20 World Cup match in Grand Prairie and narrowly lost to top-ranked India. The best homegrown American players are gaining invaluable experience competing alongside international cricketers in Major League Cricket.
To cultivate world-class American cricketers, the nation must invest in developing more youth players. A strong performance at the Olympics could help spur this growth.
“Success for Team USA can create a tremendous ripple effect of awareness, pride, and passion, while fostering grassroots initiatives to introduce the sport to young people,” Grave commented. “The opportunity to become an Olympic sport enables us to engage with junior, middle, and high school students, as well as colleges, fostering a dual strategy of awareness and participation. The best way to achieve this is by giving them a cricket ball and bat and encouraging them to enjoy the game.”
Jain emphasized the importance of establishing cricket academies across the nation, similar to the numerous soccer clubs and MLS academies that have emerged since the 1970s.
“Every child should have access to a nearby academy to learn cricket,” he asserted.
Hunt concurs with this approach. “To foster grassroots growth, clubs must adopt the philosophies of soccer clubs by developing youth programs and academies to nurture young talent and foster a love for the game through tournaments.”
Major League Cricket recognizes that expanding the sport is vital to the league’s success, although officials acknowledge that widespread adoption in the U.S
