Lauderhill, FL – The city of Lauderhill, Florida is on the cusp of sporting history as Broward County Stadium undergoes a hefty $8 million renovation aimed at hosting the Cricket World Cup in June.
The upgrade includes expanding the stadium’s capacity from its current 5,000 to approximately 10,000 seats to accommodate the surge of cricket fans expected to flock to the venue for the high-stakes matches.
Members of the media were given a tour of the stadium by County and City staff ahead of the upgrade.
Among the spotlight games is an eagerly awaited clash between Team USA and Ireland on June 14. Broward Parks and Recreation Director Dan West emphasized the global popularity of cricket, stating, “It’s the second most watched sport in the world behind soccer, which is kind of amazing in itself, even more than NFL football”. But the renovations aren’t just for the love of the game, they signal a potential economic windfall for the region as well.
Not resting on its laurels, the stadium, which holds the distinction of being the United States’ first cricket ground sanctioned by the ICC, is about to get an even bigger role.
The construction crews are slated to roll out not just permanent seating but also additional temporary seating to maximize capacity and fan experience.
“We’re building out to around 8,150 seats. Then on top of that, we will also have a third-party come in and build temporary seating to make it to around 10,000 to 12,000 seats,” said West.
The price tag for these upgrades rings up to a tune of about $8.5 million. As the bat hits the ball in Lauderhill, it’s clear the Cricket World Cup is more than just a game; it’s a boost to local economy, a morale lifter, for a community ready to take center stage in international sports. And with cricket’s upcoming inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games, the renovated stadium may just be the cornerstone for growing U.S. interest in a sport long overshadowed by the likes of football and basketball.
