10,500-seater cricket stadium proposed near Atlanta

Cricketing infrastructure in the United States has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by the advent of Major League Cricket (MLC) with its state-of-the-art facility near Dallas and the successful hosting of matches at the iconic Coliseum in California. Complementing that top-tier development has been the rise of Minor League Cricket (MiLC), whose expansive national footprint has directly fuelled the growth of dozens of turf-pitch grounds across the country over the past five years.

Carrying that infrastructural momentum into the American heartland is Keval Patel, CEO and President of LaGrange Cricket Holdings, who has unveiled ambitious plans to build a privately owned world-class cricket stadium in the rural yet rapidly developing town of LaGrange, Georgia, located just 50 minutes south of Atlanta.

The proposed venue will feature 10,500 permanent seats, with the ability to expand to 25,000 for major tournaments. Spread across a 45-acre parcel along the I-85 corridor, the project is envisioned as a multi-dimensional sports and hospitality destination, inspired by the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The layout includes two luxury hotels, multiple restaurants, and twin grandstands flanking the playing surface, designed to host both international fixtures and domestic leagues.

Leading the architectural vision is TVS Design, the globally renowned firm behind landmarks such as the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. The cricket stadium alone carries an estimated price tag of $50 million, while the total investment across the 45-acre development project, including the commercial components, is projected to exceed $100 million. Once completed, the stadium will boast a plug-and-play infrastructure capable of hosting broadcast-ready tournaments immediately, a feature Patel believes will save cricket and concert organizers a substantial amount in logistical and setup costs over time.

For Patel, this project represents more than just infrastructure. It's a moment of redemption. A long-time cricket benefactor and New Jersey resident, he has been a familiar name in American cricket circles for two decades, having managed both clubs and franchise teams. His previous attempts to build a stadium in New Jersey faltered, costing his group hefty money in attorney, architect, and permit fees.

It is understood that La Grange Cricket Holdings has already spent close to a seven-figure sum on permits, architectural plans, and legal fees for this project before receiving final approval; an outlay that underscored both the complexity and the commitment behind the venture.

"This isn't just about cricket," said Patel. "This is an ecosystem that we're creating, a world-class stadium designed for international competition, a boutique hotel for players, visitors and event guests, a vibrant sports bar where fans gather to cheer, eat and celebrate, retail, recreation, community events all orbiting around the beating heart of this venue. This is cricket and so much more, with matches that will bring in thousands."

A part of the ambitious 'Sola' development project in LaGrange, Patel expects the stadium to host both international fixtures and professional league cricket once completed in the first quarter of 2027.