With cricket set to become an Olympic sport in 2028, the collegiate version of the worldwide sport will see even more exposure in the new year in North America, including in southern California.
UC San Diego’s student cricket club will join the Collegiate Cricket League in its inaugural season in 2025. UC San Diego will be joined by many universities in both the U.S. and Canada.
The CCL, supported by affiliate partner USA Cricket, is set to establish cricket as a varsity sport at universities around the country. The CCL will unite college cricket clubs under one league and leverage its broadcast reach. This will enable sponsorships, scholarships and funding for collegiate cricket teams.
The CCL will bring back a modern cricket format, with a 10-over match lasting 90 minutes, which is considered a fast-paced version of Cricket.
“There is nothing quite like college sports in America, and the excitement surrounding cricket is unmatched,” said USA Cricket CEO Johnathan Atkeison. “Combining these two creates a perfect synergy, and the launch of a vibrant, visible college cricket competition like the CCL will accelerate the growth of our sport.”
UC San Diego and other universities, with more set to join in the coming months, will compete in a dual-conference format. There will be a $50,000 prize and a new CCL Trophy.
