AUSTIN, Texas, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Collegiate Cricket League (CCL) is proud to host its inaugural National Championship from April 17–20, marking a milestone moment for U.S. cricket. Matches will be played at the Lonestar Premier Cricket League grounds, located at 24609 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Liberty Hill, TX 78642, with games starting daily at 9:30 a.m. CT.
With a focus on building the sport from the grassroots level, the CCL is helping shape the future of cricket in America—one student-athlete at a time.
Founded in 2025 by students at Georgetown University—and supported by USA Cricket and the National Cricket League (NCL)—the CCL is the first student-founded, student-led, and student-operated league of its kind in North America. The 2025 championship features 12 top university teams:
- Georgetown University
- Rice University
- UCLA
- University of Florida
- University of Wisconsin–Madison
- University of California, Irvine
- University of Southern California
- University of Texas at Austin
- Arizona State University
- Texas A&M University
- University of Texas at Dallas
- University of Washington
Matches will be played in the exciting “Sixty Strikes” 10-over (60-ball) format and livestreamed on the NCL Cricket app, with match times scheduled for global prime-time viewership. Broadcast partners across Southeast Asia and other cricket-loving regions will broadcast globally.
“The CCL is making an investment in American cricket’s future,” said Johnathan Atkeison, CEO of USA Cricket. “This championship is about building a pipeline. College sports are uniquely American, and we believe they are a crucial piece of our player development pathway”
“I’ve seen cricket growing in America with my own eyes over the past four to five years,’’ said Wasim Akram, legendary cricketer and mentor. “However, real fan following still needs to be developed, and the game must grow at the grassroots level. The Collegiate Cricket League is an excellent initiative toward that goal. I wish all 12 teams the very best as they compete in this inaugural championship.”
“This is more than a weekend tournament—it’s a movement,” said Steven M. Smith, Executive Director of CCL. “We’re pairing the best of American education with the world’s second most popular sport. Our goal is to make the CCL one of the most-watched collegiate leagues in the world. The CCL will become the most-watched collegiate sport globally, tapping into the sports global 2.5 billion fans worldwide.”
The event is free and open to the public, and all are invited to attend and support this important moment for student-led athletics.
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the CCL is committed to expanding access, launching men’s and women’s seasons, providing scholarships, and working with universities to elevate cricket to varsity status. To support the league’s mission or get involved, visit www.collegiatecricket.com—where you can make a tax-deductible donation to help grow cricket across North America.
Contact: Media@NCLCricket.com
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