USA
Knight Riders Become First IPL Franchise With Dedicated Stadium in California. In a landmark moment for global cricket, the Knight Riders franchise has taken a bold step in its international journey, establishing a permanent home base in the United States. The Los Angeles Knight Riders will now operate out of their own dedicated venue in California, becoming the first Indian Premier League (IPL)-owned franchise to secure a home ground overseas.
The newly announced Knight Riders Cricket Field, located at the Fairplex complex in Pomona, California, will serve as the team’s official base starting in the 2026 season. The development marks a significant milestone not just for the franchise, but for the broader growth of cricket in the United States.
Owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, the Knight Riders brand has steadily expanded beyond its original roots with Kolkata Knight Riders in India to include teams in leagues across the Caribbean and now the U.S. With this latest move, the franchise has cemented its commitment to building a truly global cricketing ecosystem.
“Over the years, the Knight Riders have grown into a truly global family, and every new milestone is special for us,” Khan said in a statement. “Seeing the Los Angeles Knight Riders have a home of their own is incredibly exciting. The USA is a great sporting market with passionate fans, and we hope this field becomes a place where people come together to celebrate the game and support the team.”
The choice of Los Angeles as a base reflects the franchise’s strategic focus on one of the world’s most vibrant sports markets. According to Knight Riders Sports CEO Venky Mysore, the move is part of a long-term vision to grow the brand and the sport simultaneously.
“Los Angeles is one of the world’s most dynamic sports markets and an important home for the Knight Riders brand,” Mysore said. “Establishing the Knight Riders Cricket Field in partnership with Fairplex is a major milestone for our franchise, and we look forward to building the sport in this region.”
A Turning Point for Cricket in the United States
Beyond the franchise itself, the development signals a broader shift in the evolution of cricket in America. The United States has long been viewed as an untapped market for the sport, but recent investments and the emergence of Major League Cricket have begun to change that narrative.
With a fixed venue in Southern California, the Los Angeles Knight Riders can now cultivate a loyal local fanbase—something that has historically been a challenge for cricket in the U.S., where matches have often been played across rotating venues.
The Knight Riders Cricket Field is expected to host matches from Major League Cricket, offering fans consistent access to top-tier T20 action. This stability could play a crucial role in nurturing grassroots interest, attracting sponsors, and building a sustainable cricket culture in the region.
A First for IPL Franchises
What sets this move apart is its precedent-setting nature. While IPL franchises have expanded globally with teams in multiple leagues, none until now has established a dedicated home stadium outside India.
By securing a permanent base in California, the Knight Riders are not only strengthening their international footprint but also redefining how franchise cricket can operate on a global scale.
As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Pomona, where a new chapter in cricket’s global story is set to unfold—one that could reshape the sport’s future in the United States and beyond.
