FREDERICK, Md (Diya TV) — Washington Freedom is moving closer to a permanent home after the Frederick City Council approved plans for a 10,000-seat cricket stadium. The decision gives Major League Cricket (MLC) a major new venue in the Washington region.
The council voted 5-1 last week to rezone about 24 acres at the Gateway Property on Frederick’s eastern edge, one member was absent. The site currently operates as a golf driving range between Route 144 and Interstate 70.
The stadium would become the home of Washington Freedom, owned by Indian American entrepreneur Sanjay Govil, who also founded Maryland-based technology company Infinite Computer Solutions. The team has played at different venues since MLC began, limiting its ability to establish a permanent local identity. A home venue would give fans a regular place to watch Washington Freedom and create more opportunities for local players to train and compete.
Construction still needs several approvals from local, county and state authorities. Govil said the team wants to move quickly, with hopes of playing at the new venue as early as 2027.
The project comes as cricket prepares to return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, its first Olympic appearance since 1900.
The facility is designed for more than professional cricket. Plans include a cricket park and multi-use community space with year-round public access, hosting youth sports, festivals, concerts, markets, graduation ceremonies and other local events. City officials estimate the facility could draw about 100,000 visitors annually and generate nearly $2 million in yearly tax revenue.
The Washington metropolitan area has one of the largest amateur cricket communities in the United States, with dozens of leagues, hundreds of teams and thousands of players, but has never had a permanent professional cricket stadium. Local cricket leaders welcomed the council’s decision, saying the venue could give young athletes better access to training and create a central gathering place for families and fans. Supporters also see the stadium as an investment in Maryland’s youth cricket system, providing space for clinics, competitions and community programs.
If completed, the Frederick venue would rank among the few full-scale cricket stadiums on the East Coast, alongside Broward County Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Govil noted that the team plans to build on privately owned land, an approach that differs from several other cricket facilities in the country.
Washington Freedom has built a strong reputation in MLC, winning the league championship in 2024 after beating the San Francisco Unicorns, then reaching the final in 2025 and 2026 as runner-up both times. Govil credited the team’s culture, coaching staff and fan support for its success.
MLC continues to develop permanent venues across the country. The Texas Super Kings play at Grand Prairie Stadium, and the Los Angeles Knight Riders opened a purpose-built cricket ground in Pomona, California, in 2026.
