Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, near New York City, officially opened on May 15, 2024. The new venue aims to expand cricket's reach in the United States, with its first major event being the T20 World Cup in June.
The stadium, with a seating capacity of 34,000, will host one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament: India vs. Pakistan on June 9. This clash is part of the eight scheduled World Cup games to be held at the venue.
The stadium was completed in just three months, a rapid construction effort that cost approximately $30 million. It features infrastructure contributions from the Las Vegas Formula 1 circuit and drop-in pitches prepared in Florida.
Olympic legend Usain Bolt, serving as the tournament ambassador, inaugurated the stadium. His presence at the opening ceremony underscored the international significance of the venue.
The stadium will host eight matches during the group stage of the T20 World Cup. The schedule includes: - June 3: Sri Lanka vs. South Africa - June 5: India vs. Ireland - June 7: Canada vs. Ireland - June 8: Netherlands vs. South Africa - June 9: India vs. Pakistan - June 10: South Africa vs. Bangladesh - June 11: Pakistan vs. Canada - June 12: USA vs. India
Tickets for the matches can be purchased through the ICC's official website. Prices range from $175 for basic plans to $400 for premium plans. Tickets on secondary markets, like StubHub, are selling for up to $2000, with additional hospitality packages available.
The ICC has identified the United States as a key market, citing an estimated 50 million cricket fans in the country, bolstered by a growing South Asian population. Hosting the World Cup matches is seen as a strategic move to increase the sport's popularity in the region.