- By Sunny Daud
- Thu, 02 Jul 2026 02:27 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Shah Rukh Khan's Knight Riders Group has reached a big milestone by becoming the first global cricket franchise to build and operate an international-standard cricket stadium outside India.
The newly built Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Los Angeles hosted its first Major League Cricket (MLC) match, where the Los Angeles Knight Riders faced Washington Freedom.
A New Home for Cricket in Los Angeles
The Knight Riders Cricket Ground is designed to be more than just a match venue. It is expected to become a permanent home for cricket in Los Angeles while helping the sport reach more fans across the region.
The stadium has been built to international standards and includes eight wickets on the main square, ICC-approved playing dimensions, and six floodlight towers standing 120 feet tall. More than 32,000 metric tonnes of earth were moved during construction to create the purpose-built facility.
Shah Rukh Khan Calls It a Dream Come True
Sharing his excitement, Shah Rukh Khan said the project had been a dream that finally became reality.
What started as a dream… turns into reality today.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) July 1, 2026
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
"What started as a dream has become a reality today.
Bringing cricket, the second most-watched sport in the world, to Los Angeles is a landmark moment for all of us. Through this long-term partnership between Fairplex and Knight Riders, we are creating much more than a cricket venue. We are building a space that celebrates community, togetherness, energy and entertainment.
It is a place built not just for sport, but also for entertainment, for families and for memories that will last forever. We hope this becomes a home for cricket in Los Angeles and inspires generations of fans and players alike. This is for Los Angeles, for cricket fans across the globe and for the Knight Riders family. Believe in Purple and Gold."
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A Big Step for the Knight Riders Brand
Knight Riders Sports CEO Venky Mysore described the new venue as a major achievement for the franchise's global vision.
According to Mysore, the stadium is more than just another cricket ground. He believes it represents the group's commitment to expanding the sport and building world-class cricket infrastructure in new markets.
Shah Rukh Thanks Jay Shah and ICC
Shah Rukh Khan also shared the achievement on social media, thanking ICC Chairman Jay Shah and ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta for their support throughout the project.
In his post, Shah Rukh wrote:
"It started as a dream, and today it has become a reality. Welcome to the Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Los Angeles."
He added that the venue belongs not only to Los Angeles but also to cricket lovers around the world and the entire Knight Riders family. He ended his message with the franchise's famous slogan, "Believe in Purple and Gold."
What Makes the Stadium Special?
The Knight Riders Cricket Ground has been developed to support the growing popularity of cricket in the United States. It will serve as the home ground of the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket and is expected to play an important role in hosting cricket matches at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.