Grand Prairie Stadium

Grand Prairie Stadium

Description

Grand Prairie Stadium, formerly known as QuikTrip Park and The Ballpark in Grand Prairie, is a cricket ground located in Grand Prairie, Texas. Opened in 2008, it underwent a significant transformation in 2021-2022 to become a premier cricket venue.

Prior to its cricket conversion, the stadium served as the home field for the Texas AirHogs baseball team and Texas United soccer team. Now, it boasts a capacity of 7,200 permanent seats, with the ability to expand to accommodate up to 15,000 spectators for major cricket events. The $20 million renovation project included upgrades to suit the specific needs of the sport.

The stadium is the home ground for the Texas Super Kings of Major League Cricket (MLC). It witnessed history in July 2023 by hosting the inaugural match of this new league, a significant development for cricket in the United States. Besides professional matches, the stadium has played host to local Minor League Cricket teams and even the finals of the 2023 Minor League Cricket season.

In essence, Grand Prairie Stadium is a testament to the growing popularity of cricket in the US. It offers a modern facility for both players and spectators, with the potential to accommodate even larger crowds for major cricket events in the future.

Stadium Details

• In Use: 2008-2019
• Former Names: QuikTrip Park (2008-2014), AirHogs Stadium (2015-2019)
• Former Tenants: Grand Prairie AirHogs (American Association) 2008-2015, Grand Prairie Pilots (Great Southwest Collegiate League) 2016-2017, Texas AirHogs (American Association) 2016-2019
• Capacity: 7,000 (Expandable to 15,000 for major events)
• Surface: Artificial turf
• Amenities: Luxury Boxes, Group Seating, Picnic Tables, Sports Bar, Swimming Pool
• Renovation: Transformed into a Major League Cricket Stadium
• Current Use: Home stadium of the Texas Super Kings
• Recent Renovation: Completed a $20 million renovation for the inaugural Major League Cricket season
• Ownership: City of Grand Prairie
• Operator: American Cricket Enterprises

History

Grand Prairie Stadium's history takes a turn in 2020. Originally opening in 2008 as a baseball venue, it went through several name changes: QuikTrip Park, The Ballpark in Grand Prairie, and finally AirHogs Stadium, reflecting its association with the Texas AirHogs baseball team (2008-2019). The stadium also hosted Texas United, a soccer team, from 2017 to 2019.

With the AirHogs folding in 2020, the stadium's future seemed uncertain. However, American Cricket Enterprises, the commercial partner of USA Cricket, stepped in. They acquired the lease and transformed the ballpark into a cricket ground. This involved a significant renovation, including a reported $20 million upgrade.

Cricket became the main focus, and the stadium was renamed Grand Prairie Stadium. This shift aligned with the launch of Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2023. The stadium hosted the inaugural MLC match on July 13, 2023, featuring the hometown Texas Super Kings. The venue's potential for major events is evident – while it has a permanent capacity of 7,200 seats, it can be configured to accommodate up to 15,000 spectators.

Records at this stadium

The Grand Prairie Stadium has a relatively short history in cricket, having been converted from a baseball stadium in 2022. As a result, it hasn't hosted any Test matches, the longest format of the game.

Here's a breakdown of its cricket history:

• T20 Matches: The stadium witnessed the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2023. The Texas Super Kings played their home matches there. There have also been other T20 matches featuring teams yet to be confirmed.
• ODIs: So far, there haven't been any One Day International (ODI) matches played at the Grand Prairie Stadium.

However, things are looking up for the stadium's cricket future. It's designated as the home and training facility for the United States national team, and it will be hosting matches in the upcoming Men's T20 World Cup in June 2024. This will be the first time the T20 World Cup is held in the United States.