Washington Freedom has officially broken ground on a 10,000-seat cricket stadium in Frederick, Maryland, aiming to become a premier venue for international matches and community events by 2027.
On October 16, 2026, a groundbreaking ceremony took place in Frederick, Maryland, marking the start of construction for a new cricket stadium that will serve as the permanent home of the Washington Freedom franchise. Owned by Sanjay Govil, this Major League Cricket (MLC) team has made a significant impact in the league, reaching three consecutive championship finals and clinching the title in 2024.
The event attracted a host of dignitaries, including U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, and U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.). Other notable attendees included Major League Cricket CEO Johnny Grave, Cricket West Indies CEO Chris Dehring, and Washington Freedom star Andries Gous. Local officials, such as Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor, were also present to celebrate the occasion.
The planned 10,000-seat stadium will be constructed on a 24-acre site that was previously a golf driving range, situated along the western bank of the Monocacy River, between Route 144 and Interstate 70. Once completed, it will be the first cricket stadium in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions capable of hosting both international matches and Major League Cricket games. It will also stand as the second purpose-built cricket stadium on the East Coast, following Broward County Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Chris Dehring, CEO of Cricket West Indies, highlighted the venue’s potential for international cricket, envisioning matches that could feature some of the world’s top cricketing nations. “I can well imagine West Indies playing India here one day,” he remarked.
Johnny Grave emphasized the stadium’s importance beyond just serving the Washington Freedom franchise. He noted that it could provide a venue for both the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams to compete against leading international opponents. “This is going to be an international venue bringing the best players from all over the world to play against our U.S. national team,” he stated.
Govil expressed his aspirations for the stadium, indicating that he hopes it will play a role in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Lieutenant Governor Miller pointed out the significance of the groundbreaking date, which coincided with the three-year anniversary of the International Olympic Committee’s decision to reinstate cricket in the Olympics. “The next great story of cricket is coming right here,” she said.
For Govil, the establishment of the Washington Freedom franchise in Frederick represents a personal milestone. A Maryland resident and founder of the technology company Infinite Computer Solutions, he reflected on his family’s past consideration of moving to Frederick. He described the project as a homecoming, stating that returning to Frederick with a major cricket development feels like coming full circle.
However, Govil’s vision extends beyond merely constructing a professional cricket stadium. The larger development, known as Frederick Cricket Park, aims to create community spaces that will be accessible year-round. This includes a park along the Monocacy River, designed for families to gather, relax, and engage in recreational activities. “The cricket game is going to be a few hours, but the goal is for the fans to come here, enjoy the whole day as a family,” Govil explained.
Drawing inspiration from his time at Auburn University, where football games were surrounded by festivities, Govil hopes to cultivate a similar atmosphere around Washington Freedom matches. The stadium is expected to host cricket matches from April through October, while also accommodating youth sports, festivals, concerts, artisan markets, graduation ceremonies, and other community events throughout the year.
Govil and his team aim to complete the stadium by summer 2027, in time for the next Major League Cricket season. The facility will initially feature four pitches oriented north to south, with plans for an additional four pitches in a later phase.
City officials estimate that the new facility could attract approximately 100,000 visitors annually and generate nearly $2 million in tax revenue each year. Lieutenant Governor Miller praised Govil as a visionary entrepreneur, emphasizing that his investment could transform Frederick into a cricket destination. “He doesn’t bet on what is. He bets on what can be,” she said.
The project promises to provide a permanent, professional-grade cricket venue close to the large South Asian and Caribbean communities in the Washington metropolitan area. Despite the sport’s popularity in the region, it has never had a dedicated professional cricket stadium, despite being home to one of the country’s most active amateur cricket communities.
Washington Freedom has quickly established itself as one of Major League Cricket’s most successful franchises since the league’s inception in 2023. The team won its first MLC championship in 2024, defeating the San Francisco Unicorns by 96 runs in the final. It returned to the championship match in 2025 but narrowly lost to MI New York by five runs. In 2026, Freedom reached the final for a third consecutive season, only to fall to the Los Angeles Knight Riders by a single run at the Oakland Coliseum.
Senator Van Hollen recalled celebrating Washington Freedom’s 2024 championship on Capitol Hill, emphasizing that the franchise’s journey would not be complete without a permanent home. “We’re so glad you’re making your permanent home right here in Frederick, Maryland,” he said, commending the collaboration among state, county, and city officials that facilitated the project.
He also shared his personal connection to cricket, recalling his childhood experiences in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, where he played the sport. “I told Sanjay that my bowling arm is a little rusty and my batting is a little rusty, but I look forward to joining you out here on the pitch,” he added.
Senator Van Hollen expressed optimism that cricket’s arrival in Frederick could introduce the sport to new audiences and foster connections among diverse communities. “Sports are about competition. They’re about rivalries, but at the end of the day, they are about bringing people together, bridging people from all different backgrounds,” he concluded.
According to The American Bazaar, the groundbreaking of the Washington Freedom stadium marks a significant step forward for cricket in the United States.