In a post on X, the Bollywood icon greeted fans at the venue, emphasizing that it was constructed not just for sports but to motivate a new generation of cricketers in the United States.
The ground, which will host the inaugural home game of the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket, is also significant as it has been chosen as the cricket venue for the 2028 Los Angeles (LA28) Olympics.
SRK expressed his appreciation to International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah and Sanjog Gupta for their support in making the project a reality. He encouraged fans to relish the stunning scenic views from the stadium.
Calling it a landmark for Los Angeles, cricket enthusiasts worldwide, and the Knight Riders family, SRK concluded with the franchise’s memorable message: “Believe in Purple and Gold.”
What started as a dream… turns into reality today.
Welcoming you all to the Knight Riders Cricket Ground, LA.
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… pic.twitter.com/5WEBSEHyOh
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) July 1, 2026
The launch reflects the swift growth of the sport in the US, with excitement building before cricket is featured at the 2028 Olympics. It is one of the venues designated to host the event.
The new Knight Riders Cricket Ground at Fairplex, located in the eastern part of Los Angeles County, is a major achievement for the franchise as it becomes its first dedicated home ground. The Major League Cricket team had previously relied on temporary venues. The inaugural match will be against Washington Freedom.
“The cricket venue for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games in Pomona County, Los Angeles, is ready to host its FIRST-EVER competitive match today! The Knight Riders Cricket Ground will be the stage for the first home game of the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket,” the ICC announced on X.
The cricket venue for @LA28 Olympics in Pomona County, Los Angeles is ready to host its FIRST-EVER competitive match today!
The Knight Riders Cricket Ground will be the site for the first home game for Los Angeles Knight Riders in the @MLCricket.
All the best to both teams and watch out for… pic.twitter.com/xe1p4WVexz
— ICC (@ICC) July 1, 2026
The newly inaugurated venue represents the initial phase of a larger master plan. A specialized training center is anticipated to be added next year, with additional redevelopment set to take place prior to the 2028 Olympics, marking cricket’s long-awaited return to the games.
“We are the second-largest sport in the world; it’s just not very prominent in the US yet,” stated Major League Cricket CEO Johnny Grave, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. “It’s part of our mission to grow the sport in this country.”
The purpose-built cricket venue was completed in a bit over 100 days from the construction start date, showcasing the rapid progress of the project. Approximately 32,000 metric tonnes of earth were relocated to create a playing area significantly larger than that of a standard Major League Baseball or NFL field.
Cricket is set to return to the Olympics for the first time since it was last featured in Paris 1900. On the domestic front, the Los Angeles Knight Riders are now in their fourth season of the six-franchise Major League Cricket competition, which aims to expand by adding more teams in the future.
“The second-most watched sport in the world coming to the No. 1 market in the world, especially in a place like SoCal, provides us with an opportunity and platform to create something extraordinary,” said Knight Rider Group CEO Venky Mysore.
The 2028 Summer Olympics will mark Los Angeles’ third hosting of the Games. Celebrations will commence with the Opening Ceremony on July 14, 2028, followed by more than two weeks of competitions concluding on July 30, 2028. The Paralympics will take place from August 15 to 27, 2028.
