Cricket, a longstanding popular sport in the UK and globally, has experienced significant international growth. The admission of the USA into the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019 signals a transformative shift, aiming to fully integrate cricket into American culture. This article explores the latest developments in the USA’s efforts to make cricket a mainstream sport by 2030, highlighting the significant changes on the horizon for the sport across the pond.
In 2019, the USA obtained associate membership status in the International Cricket Council (ICC), allowing them to participate in one-day and T20 matches against smaller nations. However, restrictions on larger international games prompted the USA cricket team to formulate a plan for full ICC membership and inclusion of cricket in the 2028 LA Olympics.
Anticipating limited access with their current status, the USA aims to launch its own T20 league, USA Major League Cricket, by 2022. The league’s success is viewed as a stepping stone toward achieving full ICC membership by 2030. USA cricket CEO Iain Higgins outlined five key objectives for cricket’s success in the USA: growing engagement, increasing participation, enhancing national team performance, ensuring league sustainability, and building trust within the local cricket community.
The strategic plan, when implemented successfully, is expected to elevate cricket’s popularity in the USA and contribute to the sport’s global growth. Additionally, there is a concerted effort to include cricket in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Despite the need for approval from various stakeholders and synchronized growth in the sport within the USA, the cricket board is committed to working towards the inclusion of cricket in this major sporting event, foreseeing positive impacts on the sport’s future both domestically and internationally.
As the USA expands its presence in cricket and international competitions, there is growing speculation about the impact on the sport’s popularity and the changing attitudes toward sports betting in the country. The ongoing efforts to legalize sports betting in many states, coupled with the introduction of cricket and existing cricket betting platforms, could potentially generate significant revenue at both national and international levels. States such as Nevada, New Hampshire, and New Jersey stand to benefit from this new source of income.
The introduction of cricket in the USA has the potential to boost the sport’s popularity and create opportunities for betting companies, both domestically and internationally. However, the question remains whether cricket will achieve the same level of popularity as established sports like the NFL and NBA. The outcome of this venture and its impact on sports betting trends will only become clear over time.
