After 4-Year Hunt, Sanjay Govil Gets Green Light To Build Cricket Stadium In Maryland

India-West News Desk

FREDERICK, MD-Sanjay Govil’s Washington Freedom has secured rezoning approval to build a privately funded 10,000-capacity cricket stadium in Frederick, Maryland, clearing a major hurdle in the franchise’s four-year search for a permanent home in the Washington, D.C., area.

WP are targeting the 2027 MLC season for the stadium’s opening, although officials have stopped short of guaranteeing that timeline. The franchise had considered 15 to 20 sites across the Washington metropolitan area before identifying Frederick as a potential location about two years ago.

The project comes as Major League Cricket (MLC) franchises work to establish permanent home venues. Los Angeles Knight Riders opened a new ground at Pomona, CA this summer, which is also slated to host cricket during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. If the Frederick stadium is ready in 2027, MLC would operate across four venues for the first time.

The stadium would give WP a permanent home after a strong run in MLC. They have reached three consecutive finals, becoming the first team in the competition to do so.

The proposed venue will feature a five-pitch cricket square. WP plans to install the wicket block early enough for the pitches to settle through the Washington winter and complete a full growing cycle before potentially hosting MLC cricket next summer.

The franchise spent the past year building local support for the project through open houses, presentations and meetings with homeowners’ associations, neighborhood groups, Rotary clubs and the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber eventually backed the proposal after recognizing its potential economic benefits.

Reacting to the rezoning approval, Govil thanked the Frederick City Council and local residents who had engaged with the project.

“This vote represents an important step forward, but we know there is still meaningful work ahead,” Govil said. “From the beginning, our goal has been to create something that belongs in Frederick – a place where world-class cricket can thrive while also creating new opportunities for young athletes, families and the broader community.”

“We’re excited to continue that work together and bring the vision for the cricket park closer to reality,” he added.

Govil  also owns a 50 per cent stake in Welsh Fire, sharing the Hundred franchise with Glamorgan, and has expressed interest in investing in Australia’s Big Bash League if its franchises are eventually opened to private investment.

Govil is the founder and CEO of Zyter.