Grand Prairie Stadium (formerly QuikTrip Park and AirHogs Stadium) is a cricket ground and former ballpark in Grand Prairie, Texas. Opened in May 2008, it served as the home stadium of the Texas AirHogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball from 2008 through 2019, and of the USL League Two soccer team Texas United from 2017 to 2019.
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| Former names | QuikTrip Park (2008–2014) AirHogs Stadium (2015–2019)[1] |
|---|---|
| Location | 1600 Lone Star Pkwy Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 32°46′05″N 96°59′11″W / 32.76806°N 96.98639°W |
| Owner | City of Grand Prairie |
| Operator | American Cricket Enterprises |
| Capacity | 7,200 (expandable up to 15,000) |
| Field size | Left Field - 330 ft (100.58 m) Center Field - 397 ft (121.0 m) Right Field - 330 ft (100.58 m) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | May 31, 2007 |
| Opened | May 16, 2008 |
| Construction cost | $20 million |
| Architect | HKS |
| Tenants | |
| United States national cricket team (2024-present) Texas Super Kings (MLC) (2023-present) Dallas Mustangs (MiLC) 2020-2023 Dallas Xforia Giants (MiLC) (2023-present) Grand Prairie/Texas AirHogs (AA) 2008–2019 Dallas Desire (LFL) 2009 Texas United (USL2) 2017–2019 | |
| Ground information | |
| International information | |
| First ODI | 25 October 2024: United States v  Scotland |
| Last ODI | 4 November 2024: Nepal v Scotland |
| First T20I | 1 June 2024: United States v  Canada |
| Last T20I | 20 October 2024: United States v Nepal |
| As of 4 November 2024 Source: Cricinfo | |
After the AirHogs folded in October 2020, it was announced that American Cricket Enterprises—the commercial partner of USA Cricket—had acquired the lease to AirHogs Stadium, and planned to redevelop the ballpark as a cricket ground. The $20 million redevelopment began in April 2022, and the stadium reopened in July 2023 for the inaugural season of the Twenty20 league Major League Cricket—during which it hosted most matches.
The stadium also serves as a home and training facility for the United States national team, and was one of three U.S. host stadiums during the group stage of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
History
editThe ballpark was constructed for the newly formed Texas AirHogs baseball team; Tulsa-based convenience store chain QuikTrip funded and acquired the naming rights to the stadium, considering it a part of the company's 50th anniversary.[2]
In 2013, its natural grass surface was replaced with Matrix artificial turf.[3]
By 2016, after the expiration of QuikTrip's naming rights, the park was later referred to as The Ballpark in Grand Prairie[4] or AirHogs Stadium.[5][6]
In 2017, the AirHogs' ownership group Neltex Sports Group established a new Premier Development League (PDL) soccer team, Texas United, which would play home matches at AirHogs Stadium.[7]
In 2020, the Texas AirHogs opted out of the American Association season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas,[8] and then terminated their membership in the league in October of that year.[9]
Conversion to a cricket stadium
editOn November 17, 2020, it was announced that American Cricket Enterprises had signed a long-term lease for the stadium, which would undergo redevelopment to convert it into a facility that can host domestic and international cricket matches, and a Dallas-area team for its upcoming Twenty20 cricket league Major League Cricket. USA Cricket, the US governing body, also announced that the facility would be used as a high-performance training center.[5][6]
In May 2021, USA Cricket announced that Major League Cricket had been pushed back from 2022 to a 2023 launch due to a "lack of high-quality cricket stadiums" in the United States.[10] It was also announced that the stadium renovations were set to begin the same month, and would last from mid-2022 to summer 2023.[11] With the acquisition of the stadium, Texas United began playing most of their home matches on the campus of the University of Texas at Dallas beginning in the 2021 season.[12]
The renovations include refurbishment and enhancement of the stadium's 13 luxury suites and Hall of Fame and Officer Club Rooms, installation of "premium seating experiences" around the field, and the renovation and reopening of the stadium's sports bar facility.[13] Other cricket amenities such as training nets, batting lanes, and outside turf fields are planned to be added in "subsequent renovation phases".[14] Dallas-based architect HKS was retained by ACE for this stadium, with the Manhattan Construction Company tapped to act as Construction Manager.[14]
In March 2022, ACE stated that it expected to complete the project by March 2023, with the stadium being part of a $110 million investment into new and refurbished cricket-specific stadiums for MLC, and other ventures such as the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.[15] Ground broke in April 2022,[16] and construction started that July.[17] The project has reportedly costed an excess of $20 million.[18] The stadium was rededicated by the city on July 11, 2023,[19] and it hosted most matches during the inaugural season of MLC that began on July 13.[20][21]
Following the season, the stadium hosted local Minor League Cricket team, the Dallas Mustangs, for their 2023 campaign. It also hosted the finals of that season, where it saw the Mustangs emerge victorious over the New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers.[22][23]
The stadium hosted matches during the group stage of the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, including the opening match between the United States and Canada; temporary bleachers were installed to double the capacity of the stadium for the tournament.[24] On June 6, 2024, the U.S. team notably upset Pakistan at the stadium in their second tournament match.[25][26][27]
2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup matches
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- United States won the toss and elected to field.
- Both United States and Canada made their T20 World Cup debut.
- This was the first World Cup match victory for the United States across all formats.
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- Netherlands won the toss and elected to field.
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- United States won the toss and elected to field.
- Babar Azam (Pak) became the highest run-scorer in T20Is, surpassing Virat Kohli.[28]
- Super Over: United States 18/1, Pakistan 13/1
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- Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field.
- This was Bangladesh's first win against Sri Lanka in a T20 World Cup.
List of centuries
editDomestic T20 centuries
editThe following table summarises the domestic Twenty20 centuries scored at the site.
| No. | Score | Player | Team | Balls | Opposing team | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 137* | Nicholas Pooran | MI New York | 55 | Seattle Orcas | July 30, 2023 | Won |
Tenants
editUnited States national cricket team
editGrand Prairie Stadium became one of the five established US facilities for cricket, with it set to host the 2024 T20 World Cup in June and July.[29]
Texas AirHogs
editThe park was built for the Texas AirHogs of the American Association in 2007. They began play (as the Grand Prairie AirHogs) in May 2008 and finished their inaugural season with a final record of 56–40, also winning the Southern Division title before falling to the Sioux Falls Canaries in the finals. A few years later, they would win the 2011 American Association championship by winning a decisive game five at QuikTrip Park. The AirHogs folded in October 2020.[30]
The AirHogs hosted the American Association All-Star Game on July 21, 2009.[31]
Dallas Desire
editThe Dallas Desire were one of two teams that were introduced to the women's Lingerie Football League (now Legends Football League) in 2004. They played two home games of their 2009 season in Grand Prairie. The team then moved to the Cotton Bowl for the 2010 season.
Texas United
editIn 2017, new Premier Development League (PDL) soccer team Texas United announced that they would play their inaugural season at Airhogs Stadium.[7]
Southern Arkansas University Muleriders
editThe Mulerider baseball team used Airhog Stadium to host their Airhog DII Classic from 2015 to 2018. This event has featured several of the top teams in NCAA DII College Baseball.[32][33]
Other
edit- NJCAA Region V Baseball Tournament: 2013[34]
- WAC baseball tournament: 2013
- NCAA Division II College World Series: 2017
Gallery
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Picture of the first base side two weeks before opening day 2008
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Picture of action during an AirHogs game on Aug 16, 2008
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Panoramic picture taken from center field.
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Smile Empty Soul performing at South by So What?! music festival in March 2014
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Dallas alternative rock ensemble One Soul performing at South by So What?! on October 26, 2013
References
edit- ^ "Grand Prairie Stadium". In The Ballparks. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "QuikTrip Park Nearing Completion". Convenience Store News. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (February 26, 2013). "New turf installed at QuikTrip Park - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ Brumfield, Loyd (February 25, 2016). "Grand Prairie, Amarillo baseball franchises to become 'Texas AirHogs' for one season". Dallas News. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ a b "Grand Prairie approves stadium redevelopment plan that could make the city a premier U.S. cricket destination". The Dallas Morning News. November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ a b Penna, Peter Della (November 20, 2020). "Former Dallas baseball stadium to become 'new home of USA cricket'". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ a b "PDL Welcomes Texas United". www.txunitedfc.com. Retrieved May 12, 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Independent American Association to start baseball season July 3 with limited fans". ESPN. Associated Press. June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ Crisp, A. J. (October 23, 2020). "Texas AirHogs terminate membership in American Association". Cleburne Times-Review. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ Houston, Michael (May 24, 2021). "American Major League Cricket tournament launch pushed back to 2023". Inside the Games. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Penna, Peter Della (May 21, 2021). "USA's MLC T20 tournament pushed back to 2023 at AGM". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- ^ Carrick, Buzz (April 12, 2021). "Texas United 2021 home field and schedule". 3rd Degree. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ Rajwani-Dharsi, Naheed (July 28, 2022). "North Texas' cricket stadium project is underway". Axios. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
- ^ a b "Timeline Announced for Completion of Major League Cricket Stadium in Grand Prairie, TX". Major League Cricket. July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
- ^ Penna, Peter Della (March 18, 2022). "USA T20 franchise league MLC projected to spend $110 million on facilities ahead of 2023 launch". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
- ^ Rajwani-Dharsi, Naheed (June 13, 2022). "Pro cricket is coming to North Texas". Axios. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ Manning, Tyler (July 28, 2022). "Here's when the Major League Cricket Stadium in Grand Prairie is set to open". KDAF. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ^ Livengood, Paul (July 27, 2022). "$20M renovations coming for Major League Cricket stadium in North Texas". WFAA. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ^ "Officials Dedicate Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium". www.gptx.org. July 12, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ Penna, Peter Della (November 15, 2022). "Major League Cricket set for July 2023 launch in Dallas". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ Murray, Shannon (July 13, 2023). "Major League Cricket launches in Grand Prairie". FOX 4. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ Hummadi, Sara (September 30, 2023). "Grand Prairie Stadium to host the Minor League Cricket final championship". KXAS-TV. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ "Grand Prairie Stadium to host 2023 Minor League Cricket Championship final". The Times of India. September 30, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ Gollapudi, Nagraj (January 17, 2024). "ICC confirms New York's Eisenhower Park will not host international games before T20 WC". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Bentley, Joseph (June 6, 2024). "USA upsets Pakistan in T20 Cricket World Cup with stunning super over win". The Athletic. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Collinson, Stephen (June 8, 2024). "How the USA's shock cricket triumph reflects a global sporting and geopolitical transformation". CNN. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Ponsonby, Cameron (June 7, 2024). "A day to believe cricket is not just an American Dream". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ "Babar Azam takes lead over Virat Kohli as T20Is' highest run-scorer". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ "Three USA venues locked in for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "Texas Airhogs Terminate Membership in American Association". American Association. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ "AirHogs to Host Amer. Assoc. All-Star Game". OurSports Central. July 15, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ "2017 Air Hogs DII Classic". Southern Arkansas University Athletics. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Air Hogs DII Classic". Southern Arkansas University Athletics. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ "AirHogsBaseball.com - QuikTrip Park to host NJCAA Region 5 Tournament May 11–15". Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
External links
edit| Events and tenants | ||
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| Preceded by | Host of the AAB All-Star Game QuikTrip Park 2009 |
Succeeded by |