New York Leads Race to Host Olympic Cricket To Ensure Better Timing for Indian Fans

Jatin∙ Updated: Oct 22 2024, 11:30 AM | 3 Min Read

New York overtakes LA as preferred venue for Olympic Cricket [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

Cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympics in 2028 may not take place in Los Angeles, the host city of the Games. Instead, the spotlight is shifting to New York, making it a more favourable choice for the subcontinent’s cricket enthusiasts, especially Indian fans.

This unexpected move aims to address the massive time zone difference between the US West Coast and India, ensuring that cricket matches enjoy prime-time viewership in one of the sport's biggest markets.

New York Leads Race Over LA to Host Olympic Cricket

The significant 12.5-hour time difference between Los Angeles and India means prime-time matches scheduled at 8 PM in LA would be aired in India during breakfast hours. Such odd timings could be a tough pill to swallow for cricket fans who are used to watching evening matches with friends and family.

In contrast, matches beginning around 10:30-11:00 AM on the East Coast would be ideal, allowing Indian viewers to tune in at 8 PM local time. This strategy has proven successful in the past, as demonstrated by the recent T20 World Cup 2024 held earlier this year.

Modular Stadiums: A New Frontier for US Cricket

Finding suitable venues for cricket remains a tall order in the US, where cricket grounds are as rare as hen's teeth. Recent World Cup matches in New York were held in modular stadiums in Long Island, dismantled soon after the final game.

Dallas, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were the other hosts for the World Cup, but neither of these cities appears to be in the running for the LA28 Games. Major League Cricket (MLC) games have been regularly held in Dallas and North Carolina, but California lacks dedicated cricket venues.

History Repeats Itself with Split Venues

Hosting Olympic events in different cities isn’t unheard of. LA itself adopted this model in 1984 when football matches were spread across the States. Even at the recent Paris Olympics, football matches were staged across France.

With cricket's comeback to the Olympic fold after over 128 years, the LA28 organizers are considering a similar strategy. However, the challenge is to balance cost efficiency with delivering a memorable experience for fans and athletes.

Cricket’s Olympic Return After Over a Century

Cricket last featured in the 1900 Paris Olympics, making its LA28 comeback after 128 years an emotional moment for fans worldwide. Alongside cricket, baseball, softball, flag football, squash, and lacrosse are the other new sports added to the LA Games roster.

With New York in the running to host the matches, cricket is set to step onto the Olympic stage once again, and it’s bound to be an event that fans won’t want to miss—no matter where it's played.

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