Though Cricket is played worldwide, but this sport is predominantly popular in Asia. People in countries like India Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka love this sport the most. It is also popular in Europe, Africa and Australia. However this one of the world’s most-followed sports—may finally carving out a new home in the United States. Yes, you heard it right. Popularity of Cricket is increasing in the United States and numbers never lie. With strategic investments, marquee international events, and the rise of domestic leagues, the U.S. is positioning itself as a potential future powerhouse in global cricket.
Cricket commands a global fanbase of approximately 2.5 billion people and generated nearly $900 billion in revenue in 2023. The 2022 T20 World Cup alone delivered over 1.28 billion viewing hours, making clear the sport’s massive cultural and commercial footprint.
The United States: A Nascent but Growing Market for Cricket
Cricket is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, experiencing significant growth at both grassroots and professional levels, though it still lags behind mainstream American sports like football, basketball, and baseball. Several factors have contributed to this trend. A few important facts will solidify this claim –
- There are now at least 400 cricket leagues and about 200,000 players nationwide, a rapid increase in recent years according to USA Cricket.
- Major League Cricket (MLC), a fully professional league established in 2019, launched its inaugural season in 2023 with teams in key cities such as Dallas, New York, and Los Angeles, attracting international stars and driving increased media attention.
- The U.S. co-hosted the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time, an event seen as a catalyst for further interest in the sport—comparable to how the 1994 FIFA World Cup increased soccer’s popularity in America.
- The 2024 U.S. victory over Pakistan—a global cricket powerhouse—sparked national attention, highlighting the rapid improvement and visibility of U.S. cricket on the world stage.
- Cricket’s growth has been supported by a large base of immigrants from cricket-loving nations (notably India, Pakistan, the West Indies, and the UK) who have introduced the sport into more communities, and by grassroots efforts including youth leagues and school-based programs in states like Texas, California, and Massachusetts.
- Cricket will be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which is expected to further boost its profile and participation in the U.S.
According to Statista projections, the U.S. cricket market is expected to generate US $90 million in revenue in 2025—with compound annual growth (CAGR) of about 1.75% through 2029, resulting in nearly US $96 million by 2029. Media-related cricket revenue is forecast at US $47 million in 2025, growing modestly thereafter.
User penetration is still low—just around 1.4% in 2025—but that corresponds to a potential fan base of over 5 million in the U.S., and growth to roughly 6.3 million across North America by 2029.
United States National Cricket Team – Main Squad Members
Monank Patel (Captain)
India-born wicket-keeper batsman who led the USA to a historic T20 World Cup win over Pakistan and anchors their batting across formats
Aaron Jones (Vice-captain)
New York–born right‑handed batsman and part-time leg-spinner; USA’s consistent run‑scorer and World Cricket League division winner in 2018.
Saurabh Netravalkar
Former Indian U19 cricketer turned left‑arm medium pacer and full‑time Oracle engineer, famed for bowling Virat Kohli in the T20 World Cup
Steven Taylor
Florida‑born batsman of Jamaican descent, the only fully U.S.-raised player; a top-order stalwart since age 16
Nosthush Kenjige
Auburn, Alabama–born all-rounder, a slow left‑arm orthodox spin bowler who debuted in ODI in 2019
Harmeet Singh Baddhan
Indian-born slow left-arm orthodox bowler and former India U‑19, who debuted for the USA in 2024 T20Is
Andries Gous
South African wicket‑keeper batter who debuted in April 2024, scoring consecutive T20I half-centuries for the USA against Canada
Shadley van Schalkwyk
Former South African domestic quick who joined the USA setup and brought strong pace options to their bowling attack
Milind Kumar
Delhi-born middle-order batsman and high-scoring Ranji Trophy performer (over 1,300 runs in a season), now representing USA and Texas Super Kings
Sanjay Krishnamurthi
Oregon-born young all-rounder (slow left-arm orthodox), made his international breakthrough in 2021 and featured robustly in both ODI and T20I since
Saiteja Mukkamalla
New Jersey-born opening batsman with off-break skills, plays for Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket and rising through the ranks
Wikipedia
Additional Squad Members of the USA Cricket Team (Notable Mentions)
Shayan Jahangir
Wicket‑keeper batsman, added to the 2024 World Cup squad, known for his aggressive stroke play
Ali Khan
Pakistan-born right-arm pacer with yorker skills and match-winning performances, especially early in group games
Corey Anderson
Former New Zealand international all-rounder bringing World Cup experience and power hitting to Team USA
This team reflects a blend of U.S.-raised talent and experienced international imports, unified to build USA cricket’s presence on the global stage.
Opportunities & Remaining Challenges for the Cricket in USA
Grassroots & Youth Development
Despite growth in diaspora-driven participation and school clubs, mainstream youth adoption remains minimal. There’s a push underway to introduce cricket into school and college programs, possibly even through NCAA varsity cricket in the future.
Infrastructure and Venues
While pop-up stadiums and converted baseball venues have made events possible, the lack of permanent cricket-specific infrastructure remains a challenge. MLC aims to ensure each franchise has its own stadium by the 2028 season to expand access beyond Texas and North.
Media & Broadcast Reach
Streaming remains fragmented—most matches streamed via Willow, a niche cricket channel. Critics argue greater exposure via ESPN+, Amazon Prime, or mainstream broadcasters could attract non-diaspora audiences. Documentaries or behind‑the‑scenes series (akin to “Drive to Survive”) are suggested to build broader interest.
Governance & Organizational Stability
USA Cricket has faced leadership and governance issues, which have historically hampered consistent growth strategies. However, private and ICC support through MLC and structured investment is helping bring a more professional approach to governance.
Is the U.S. the Next Big Cricket Market?
Yes, but with a caveat. The United States is rapidly emerging as the next big market for cricket, though it remains a work in progress. Traditionally overshadowed by sports like baseball, basketball, and American football, cricket is gaining momentum due to a combination of factors. A significant South Asian and Caribbean diaspora—communities where cricket is a cultural mainstay—provides a ready-made fan base. The co-hosting of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 brought unprecedented visibility, drawing sell-out crowds and global media attention, especially for marquee matches like India vs Pakistan.
Major League Cricket (MLC), now in its third season, has attracted international stars and corporate investment, signaling growing confidence in the sport’s commercial viability. The U.S. is also seeing early signs of youth participation, infrastructure development, and strategic ICC support. However, challenges such as limited stadiums, fragmented media coverage, and low mainstream awareness persist. If these hurdles are addressed and cricket continues to expand beyond niche audiences, the U.S. could indeed become a major player in the global cricket economy within the next decade.
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Cricket in USA : Will the USA Become the Next Big Market?