Back in 2003, the first T20 cricket games took place in England. Though only part of a debut T20 Cup competition, the updates to the game added a more dynamic tempo. The game was faster-paced, which excited longstanding fans and helped onboard newcomers.

From there, T20 leagues around the world took off, setting up shops in countries like Australia, Pakistan, and nations in the West Indies. In 2008, the IPL held its inaugural competition. It wasn’t long before the Indian league became the world’s most-watched and attended cricket series in the world.

Since the IPL signed major broadcasting deals in the US and Canada, cricket is slowly hitting its stride in North America. Thousands of fans tune in via online streaming, as well as subscription deals with Hotstar USA. Even more take advantage of promo codes from DraftKings and other sportsbooks that now offer lines on the IPL and other cricket leagues.

Though some US-based sportsbooks have yet to create wagers for cricket, the nod from leading brands like DraftKings hints that cricket is there to stay in North America. Looking forward, the US’s own Major League Cricket series is set to begin in 2022. But with two defunct attempts behind them, has cricket gained enough steam to touch down abroad?

IPL’s Global Influence

Today, there are competitive T20 leagues dotting the globe. Even better, there’s an international format for leading clubs to face-off, similar to the FIFA World Cup. Unlike other sports, cricket has highly competitive leagues, such as the Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, England’s Natwest T20 Blast, and Australia’s Big Bash League.

However, none have the reach of the IPL. Rather than model itself after European club football, the IPL borrowed the North American sports franchise system when creating the cricket league. Only ten years after starting, the IPL sold its broadcasting rights for $2.55 billion in 2017.

Although the IPL has India’s massive population to thank for its elevated viewership and attendance records, the league has also been able to create a lucrative business model. Fans can engage with their favorite team by attending matches, buying retail merchandise, and attending special matches and events.

Because of the IPL’s success as a business, the league has attracted top players abroad and created its own farming system to develop local athletes. This means the league has long-term staying power, as it can continue to draw on world-class athletic talent, which keeps fans engaged.

This dynamic blend is what makes the IPL an unbeatable sports league: it’s got talent, self-sufficiency, plenty of investment, and even more interest from fans. The mix of global talents and homegrown athletes also makes it appealing for fans and well-rounded in terms of talent.

Major League Cricket Starts in 2022

One of the greatest nods to the IPL’s success is that other sporting groups are looking to emulate the league in their own country. Given the IPL chose to model itself after the North American franchise system a la the NFL, NBA, and MLB, it’s not shocking the upcoming MLC will look to draw on the IPL’s structuring.

The MLC will also create its own development league, Minor League Cricket. So far, there are seven possible locations across the country, all areas with an interest in cricket. These cities include Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey, New York, San Francisco, and, most recently, Dallas.

The Minor League Cricket series will see a total of 24 locations around the US. Already, these teams have seen approval from the ICC and its US associate, USA Cricket. The MLC has also seen major investments from Indian businesses, including The Times Group and Willow TV.

Recently, the Kolkata Knight Riders also opted to invest in the MLC. To date, the only designated cricket center serving the MLC is located in Prairie View, Texas. The MLC is expected to launch in early 2022, with plans to launch a nine-week series for the MiLC first.