Cricket in the USA: Potential and Challenges

Cricket in the USA is at an interesting crossroads…????

With global appeal and growing interest, it’s tempting to paint a picture of inevitable success.

us cricket player in front of big crowd

But in reality…it’s complicated.

But first, who am I, and why should you care? ????

Eddie Fitzgibbon’s Background

I’m not just an armchair expert (like many so-called gurus since the US successfully hosted the recent World T20)…

I’ve been in the trenches of US cricket for over a decade:

  • Ran the ICC Development Events program
  • Wrote the strategy that birthed Major League Cricket
  • Headed USA operations for the Caribbean Premier League
  • Directed Cricket All-Stars events in NYC, LA, and Houston
  • Currently advising Kingsmen Sports Enterprises, the US cricket GOAT
eddie fitzgibbon cricket expert in india
Eddie Fitzgibbon (left) with his father

In short: I’ve seen it all, done it all, and am here to tell you why cricket in the US is an interesting proposition.

The Global Cricket Landscape

Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world.

The data is bonkers: ????

  • 2.5 billion global cricket fans.
  • $900 billion revenue generated in 2023.
  • 30 million registered cricket players worldwide.
  • Cricket betting market was valued at $21 billion in 2023.
  • 2022 T20 World Cup drew over 1.28 billion viewing hours globally.
  • Cricket market growth projected at a CAGR of 14.8% from 2021 to 2026.
analytics tools in sports

Cricket is undeniably big globally. But how does that translate to the USA?

Let’s look at both sides of the coin.

Cricket Potential in the USA

The United States cricket market has a handful of things in its favor:

1. Market Size

There are currently 3,370,000 cricket fans in the US (around 1%) — the proportion of people in the US who follow cricket is forecast to grow six times by 2025.

At 20+ million people, the market potential for cricket in the USA is bigger than the Australian & UK markets combined.

2. Investment

It has been reported that private investment into cricket has been mooted to be $850M, with an initial $120M allocated.

Note – I say reported and mooted here as there are different reports on these numbers.

3. Major Events

USA’s success in the 2024 T20 World Cup and inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics could boost visibility.

portrait of team usa cricket

4. Appetite for Cricket

A game between India and Pakistan in New York attracted 34,000 fans, reportedly over 1M people going into the ballot.

Tickets were selling for up to $2,500 on the secondary market.

5. Privately Owned Stadiums

Cricket stadiums are owned privately in the US — whereas in India they are owned by the state.

These numbers show potential, but translating global trends to US success isn’t automatic.

Challenges in the US Cricket Market

There are a handful of pressing topics:

1. Infrastructure Gap

The USA lacks cricket-specific stadiums and training facilities.

Building these requires significant investment. Is there an appetite for this?

2. Governance Issues

USA Cricket has long faced leadership controversies and organizational challenges, impacting long-term planning.

cricket venues in united states

3. Youth Programs

Grassroots development is crucial but currently limited and fragmented.

Without a strong youth base, sustainable growth is difficult.

4. Reliance on Foreign Talent

Many USA team players are expats.

Developing homegrown talent is essential for long-term success.

5. Competition

Cricket must compete with established American sports for attention, resources, and talent.

Looking Ahead

Cricket in the USA is at a pivotal moment!

It’ll take smart strategies, significant investment, and a bit of luck to make cricket more than just a niche sport in America.

Key areas to watch: ????

  • Infrastructure Development: Will investors step up? Venues and infrastructure are large capital expenses. Can these venues serious return on the large investment?
  • Grassroots Programs: Can USA Cricket build a sustainable talent pipeline? What about the pathways for cricketers — grassroots through to High School to College. What does this look like?
  • Tech Integration: How will data analytics, digital platforms, and cricket-specific tech shape the sport’s growth?
  • Marketing Strategies: Can cricket carve out a niche in the crowded US sports landscape?

It has a lot of potential, but success is not guaranteed.

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