Once seen as a British pastime, cricket is booming across the U.S. in 2025 with Major League Cricket, global stars, and UK ties redefining the American sports landscape.
From British Pitches to American Fields
For centuries, cricket has been synonymous with British identity — the crack of the bat on a summer afternoon, white uniforms on green fields, and tea breaks between innings.
But in 2025, this quintessentially British sport is finding new life in an unlikely place: the United States of America.
Thanks to the rise of Major League Cricket (MLC), international broadcasting partnerships, and a growing South Asian diaspora, cricket has finally captured America’s attention. What was once a colonial export is now a global bridge — connecting London, Mumbai, and Los Angeles through a shared passion for the world’s second-most-watched sport.
Major League Cricket: America’s New Summer Spectacle
The turning point came in 2023, when Major League Cricket (MLC) launched its inaugural season. Backed by investors from both the U.S. and the UK, including executives from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), MLC brought professional T20 cricket to American soil.
By 2025, the league has expanded to eight franchises, including teams like the Texas Super Kings, LA Knight Riders, and Seattle Orcas — many linked directly to established global brands such as Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.
The league’s fast-paced, entertainment-driven format fits perfectly into the American sports psyche. Shorter matches, high-scoring excitement, and star power have made MLC a hit among younger audiences who crave speed and spectacle.
With games streamed live on Willow TV, ESPN+, and YouTube, cricket is suddenly mainstream in the U.S.
A Transatlantic Collaboration: The UK’s Crucial Role
The UK has played a major role in cricket’s American awakening.
The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) has supported MLC from the start, offering logistical expertise, player development, and broadcasting partnerships. English stars like Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, and Moeen Ali have all featured in the U.S. league, lending it credibility and familiarity for UK fans.
Additionally, British broadcasters such as Sky Sports and BBC Sport have begun covering American cricket more regularly, introducing UK audiences to the growing U.S. scene.
This collaboration has created a powerful transatlantic exchange — one where cricket’s past and future meet halfway across the world.
The Cultural Factor: Cricket and the American Melting Pot
Cricket’s American growth owes much to its diverse communities.
With over 6 million South Asian, Caribbean, and British expatriates living in the U.S., the foundation for fandom already existed. MLC tapped into that passion — and expanded it.
In cities like Houston, New York, and San Francisco, multicultural fan bases fill stadiums wearing jerseys from India, England, and Pakistan. Matches feel like global carnivals: flags from 10 nations, Bollywood music echoing through stands, and local fans learning chants from their international counterparts.
It’s a cultural celebration that mirrors the U.S. itself — vibrant, inclusive, and electric.
Why Cricket Appeals to American Fans
For many Americans, cricket’s charm lies in its blend of strategy, skill, and storytelling.
The fast-moving T20 format, similar in spirit to baseball but more globally diverse, resonates with fans looking for something new yet familiar. The drama of boundaries, wickets, and final-over finishes has quickly turned curious spectators into die-hard supporters.
Cricket also appeals to younger fans raised on global sports culture. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have made highlights from MLC and the Indian Premier League (IPL) instantly accessible.
A 2025 YouGov survey found that one in five U.S. sports fans under 30 had watched cricket in the past year — a stunning rise from just 5% in 2019.
Cricket vs. Baseball: Rivals or Relatives?
The comparison between cricket and baseball is inevitable — and instructive.
Both sports share roots in bat-and-ball traditions, but cricket’s international flavor offers something baseball doesn’t: global rivalry. Fans tune in not just for club matches but for national pride — England vs. India, Australia vs. Pakistan, or the West Indies’ flamboyant flair.
Interestingly, American baseball fans are finding cricket’s tactical complexity refreshing. The presence of familiar features — pitchers (bowlers), hitters (batsmen), innings, and runs — makes the sport approachable.
Instead of competition, many analysts see coexistence: baseball in summer, cricket in fall; MLB by day, MLC by night.
Cricket’s Digital Revolution in the U.S.
Cricket’s growth has been supercharged by digital innovation.
Streaming platforms such as DAZN, Willow TV, and ESPN+ broadcast every MLC game, complete with interactive features that explain rules in real time for newcomers.
Social media influencers — both American and British — create explainer content, memes, and podcasts that blend pop culture with cricket analysis. This “edu-tainment” approach is key to demystifying the game for casual fans.
Even Hollywood is taking notice: in 2025, Amazon announced a new docuseries, “Cricket America,” chronicling MLC’s first three seasons, featuring players from both the U.S. and the UK.
Grassroots Growth: Building from the Ground Up
The professional league’s success is inspiring a boom at the grassroots level.
The USA Cricket governing body, recognized by the ICC (International Cricket Council), is partnering with MLC and the ECB to develop youth academies and school programs across the country.
By 2025, there are over 200 active youth teams nationwide — a tenfold increase since 2015. British coaches have been instrumental in shaping training programs, blending English discipline with American athleticism.
In universities, cricket clubs are sprouting rapidly — from UCLA to Harvard — with many competing in the American College Cricket League. The dream: one day, American-born players taking the field at Lord’s or The Oval.
Economic and Global Impact
MLC’s rise is not just cultural — it’s commercial.
In its second season, the league reportedly generated $150 million in revenue, with major sponsorships from Coca-Cola, Emirates, and British Airways.
Cities hosting matches — like Dallas, San Francisco, and New York — have seen spikes in tourism and hospitality spending during cricket weekends.
For the UK, this boom opens doors for bilateral investment, cross-promotion, and media partnerships. As cricket becomes a shared entertainment export, the economic synergy between the two nations deepens.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite its success, cricket in America faces challenges.
Breaking into the crowded U.S. sports market — dominated by the NFL, NBA, and MLB — requires patience and strategic marketing. There’s also the task of educating new fans about cricket’s formats and rules.
Yet the momentum is undeniable. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics expected to feature T20 cricket, the sport is poised for a mainstream breakthrough.
If MLC continues to grow, cricket could soon stand alongside baseball as one of America’s summer staples.
Conclusion: The New Transatlantic Connection
Cricket’s rise in the U.S. marks a remarkable reversal of history. Once the UK’s gift to the world, the sport is now being reinvented on American soil — faster, louder, and more inclusive than ever before.
What began as a British pastime has become a global celebration. And as the sound of leather on willow echoes across Dallas and Los Angeles, one thing is clear:
Cricket has finally hit a home run in America.
