- USA Has One ICC Approved Venue; Other Grounds To Constructed Or Repurposed To Host T20 WC 2024
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The International Cricket Council [ICC], on Tuesday, announced the hosts of the next eight ICC events in the upcoming cycle starting from 2023 onwards. During that announcement, the ICC gave the rights of hosting the T20 World Cup 2024 o the Caribbean and the United State of America [USA].
This means the USA will co-host an official ICC event for the first time in its history, though it has hosted official matches featuring full-time members in the past. And now the organizers have confirmed that approximately two-thirds of the 55 matches will be held in the Caribbean. These will be played at 13 established international cricket grounds in the West Indies.
In the US, where the remaining one-third of the matches are likely to be played, there will be up to five venues.
“All of the venues across both countries will be selected following a competitive tender process to be run over the coming months. A major event in 2024 will be the critical catalyst to improve facilities, develop a professional league, grow the fanbase and inspire public and corporate support,” said Paraag Marathe, USA Cricket’s chair.
Marathe also added that the decision to stage the competition in the US will be a boost for the sport in a targeted emerging market and enhance the hopes of cricket being added to the schedule for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
USA Has One ICC Approved Venue; Other Grounds To Constructed Or Repurposed To Host T20 WC 2024
The organizers said that the USA will host their share of matches of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 across five venues in the country. However, currently, they have only one venue officially approved by the ICC.
The Central Broward Regional Park Stadium [pictured] in Lauderhill, Florida is the US’s only ICC-certified stadium and has hosted international matches and Caribbean Premier League T20 games. Other existing facilities include Moosa Stadium in Houston, BPL Cricket Ground in Chicago, Woodley Park in Los Angeles, and the Indianapolis World Sports Park.
Paraag Marathe also said: “Bringing 20 different nations together for the first time in what will be the biggest T20 World Cup of all time in 2024 is also the ideal showcase for the prospects of including cricket in the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 and leaving a legacy of facilities and public enthusiasm for the sport across America ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”
Organizers said they aim to deliver an event that will provide match-day experiences that “combine a Caribbean carnival with the best of American sportainment”. The tournament will also blend iconic West Indies grounds with new and developing venues that will leave a lasting cricket legacy in the US.