Inside Shah Rukh Khan’s $21 million LA Knight Riders cricket stadium built for 2028 Olympics

Highlights:

• $21 million Knight Riders Cricket Ground unveiled in Los Angeles
• Built in Pomona at the Fairplex complex for MLC and LA 2028 Olympics
• Stadium opens with 5,000 seats, expandable to 15,000
• Designed as a modern cricket and entertainment hub
• Shah Rukh Khan calls it a “dream turned into reality”

Bollywood superstar and Knight Riders franchise owner Shah Rukh Khan has officially unveiled the Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Los Angeles, a newly developed $21 million stadium that is set to become a centerpiece for cricket in the United States.

Located in Pomona at the Fairplex complex in Los Angeles County, the stadium has been designed as a purpose-built cricket venue, not a converted facility. It will serve as the home ground for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket and is also expected to host matches during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will return after 128 years.

The stadium is part of a larger push to modernize cricket infrastructure in the US and bring the sport closer to mainstream American audiences.

The Knight Riders Cricket Ground has been designed with modern international standards in mind. It features a state-of-the-art playing surface built specifically for T20 cricket, with professional-grade pitch preparation and drainage systems suitable for California’s climate.

The venue includes broadcast-ready infrastructure, making it capable of hosting global television coverage and digital streaming events. High-definition lighting systems have been installed for night matches, allowing games to be played in prime-time US viewing slots.

Fan experience is a major focus of the stadium’s design. The venue includes modern seating zones, open viewing areas, and hospitality spaces aimed at blending sports with entertainment. Food courts, family zones, and interactive fan areas are part of the long-term vision to make matches feel like full-day events rather than just sporting fixtures.

The stadium currently opens with a capacity of around 5,000 spectators, but it is built to expand in phases to 12,000 seats by 2027 and up to 15,000 seats by the time of the LA 2028 Olympics.

The project is being viewed as a major step in making cricket more visible in the United States. Major League Cricket has already been growing steadily, and this stadium is expected to become one of its flagship venues.

For fans, the stadium carries strong cultural significance, bringing a globally popular South Asian sport into one of the world’s biggest sports markets.

The Knight Riders Group, which also owns the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL franchise, is using its global network to expand cricket’s footprint into the US sports ecosystem.

At the inauguration, Shah Rukh Khan described the stadium as more than just a sports venue. He emphasized its emotional and cultural purpose.

“What started as a dream… turns into reality today. Welcoming you all to the Knight Riders Cricket Ground, LA,” he said.

He added:

“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 this journey @JayShah220988, & @ICC and Sanjog Gupta for being so supportive.”

He also dedicated the stadium to fans worldwide, saying:

“This is for LA, for cricket fans across the globe, and for the Knight Riders family. Believe in Purple and Gold. Welcome to the home of @lakriders”

With its modern infrastructure, scalable seating, and Olympic-ready design, the Knight Riders Cricket Ground is positioned as one of the most important cricket developments outside traditional cricket nations.

As the U.S. prepares for the LA 2028 Olympics, this stadium represents a symbolic shift, cricket is no longer just expanding globally; it is now building permanent roots in America.