Cricket is a wildly popular sport, second only to soccer as the most-watched sport on the globe. In the United States, football, basketball and baseball still dominate.
But evidence shows the bat-and-ball sport is once again gaining traction in Greater Boston and across the country.
"I moved into Massachusetts in 2010. When I moved, we had about 30 teams, [and] if you assume 15 to 20 players per team, you have about 600 players back in 2010. Now, as of today, in 2023 October, we have roughly about 72 teams playing," said Kumar Putravu, president of the Massachusetts State Cricket League. "So we've doubled the number of teams and we have a total number of players, roughly around 2,000 to 3,000 players, give or take a few. It has grown exponentially over the last decade."
From Major League Cricket premiering in the U.S. this summer, to high stakes rivalries currently playing out in the Cricket World Cup, the so-called Gentleman’s Game of the 17th century is exploding in growth in Greater Boston thanks to local immigrant communities.
"There's now opportunities for men, women, kids... people above 40, even people above 50, people above 60, there are opportunities for them to play" said Kartik Shah, founder and director of the Greater Boston Cricket Foundation. "As more opportunities come about, you see more and more people trying to play the game that are immigrants here from all over the world. And cricket is played all over the world. And all of these people now have a chance to play different versions, different styles, different formats."
Will the surge in Massachusetts teams help add cricket to Boston’s roster of beloved sports?
GUESTS
Kartik Shah, founder and director of the Greater Boston Cricket Foundation
Phani Kumar Putravu, president of the Massachusetts State Cricket League
FAQs
Cricket is a wildly popular sport, second only to soccer as the most-watched sport on the globe. In the United States, football, basketball and baseball still dominate.
Is cricket the second most popular sport? ›
There are also plenty of cricket lovers, making cricket the second most popular sport in the world, with 2.5 billion fans!
Where is cricket the most popular? ›
In this article we'll take a look at the countries where cricket is played more than any other in the world. India: Of all the countries in the world, India has the largest cricket fan base and infrastructure.
Is cricket still popular in England? ›
Cricket is probably the 2nd or 3rd most popular sport in England, with football (soccer) being number 1 and Rugby and cricket being the 2nd and 3rd. It is difficult to say whether Cricket or Rugby is more popular than the other but both are a long way behind the popularity of football.
Why is cricket so popular? ›
Cricket was once one of the most popular sports in the United States, until baseball became entrenched as America's game during the Civil War. Now, the sport that was first played in England is seeing a resurgence across the pond, thanks in part to thriving South Asian immigrant communities who revere the game.
Is cricket the second most popular sport in England? ›
Major individual sports include badminton, athletics, tennis, boxing, golf, cycling, motorsport, and horseracing. Cricket is regarded as the national summer sport. Association football is the most popular sport, followed by cricket, tennis and rugby.
What sport is most like cricket? ›
Baseball and Cricket are two similar sports. They are both considered bat-and-ball games and are played by both men and women.
Why is cricket not popular in the USA? ›
Why is cricket not as popular in the USA as it is in other countries? Cricket's popularity in the USA is hindered by the dominance of American sports like baseball, basketball, and football, which have deep-rooted cultural significance and extensive infrastructure.
Is cricket getting popular in the USA? ›
Cricket is a burgeoning sport in major hubs like Dallas, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., and even here in the heart of the hokey, country-song South. Thanks to a cohort of immigrants and a new major league, cricket hopes to be even bigger across the nation.
Is cricket popularity increasing in USA? ›
Cricket, the second most popular sport in the world, trailing only soccer, is rising in popularity across Chicago and the United States, the world's biggest sports market. Much like the rise of pickleball in the Chicagoland area, cricket has never been so popular throughout Naperville and the surrounding suburbs.
Cricket had become well-established among the English upper class in the 18th century, and was a major factor in sports competition among the public schools.
Why is cricket not popular in England anymore? ›
The lack of free streaming and the general lack of appeal to young people in the UK is the main reason why cricket is not popular in England. For example, Ashes from 2005 was broadcast free on channel 4. Every year since then it has been a paid subscription on Sky Sports.
Where did cricket become popular? ›
The sport of cricket has a known history beginning in the late 16th century England. It became an established sport in the country in the 18th century and developed globally in the 19th and 20th centuries.
What are the top 3 most popular sports in the world? ›
The three most famous sports globally are soccer (football), basketball, and cricket. These sports have a significant global presence, with passionate fan bases and widespread participation.
What is the top 5 most popular sport? ›
What are the top 5 most watched sports in the US? Based on the views, the top 5 most popular sports in US in 2024 are American football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and ice hockey.
