About Washington Freedom and the Frederick Cricket Park

Who We Are

Washington Freedom represents the DMV region in Major League Cricket–the premier professional cricket league in the United States. We are proud to be the 2024 Major League Cricket Champions and 2025 runners-up. 

But championships are only part of the story. Our long-term vision is to establish a permanent home that reflects our values: community partnership, family accessibility, and the joy of sports. That vision brings us to Frederick.

What We Envision

We envision more than a field for a sport–we see a vibrant park where visitors and locals alike can gather. Along the Monocacy River, trails, open green spaces, and hillside lawns create a setting where families spread blankets, friends meet, and a global game unfolds in the heart of the landscape. 

The cricket field becomes the centerpiece of a place designed for discovery, from youth sports and community celebrations to festivals, recreation, and everyday moments outdoors. Local food, craft beverages, and the energy of Frederick’s local businesses help bring the experience to life. Above all, we envision a park that celebrates the region’s natural beauty while creating a welcoming space where people come together again and again.

Why Frederick

Frederick offers something rare: strong family culture, appreciation for outdoor recreation, commitment to preservation, and a forward-looking spirit.

The area is uniquely positioned to lead this next chapter of cricket’s American growth–not as a novelty, but as a thoughtful, community-rooted home.

PROJECT STATS & FAQs

  • Cricket is the second most-watched sport in the world, with 2.5 billion fans and broadcasts in 90+ countries. It’s also returning to the Olympics in 2028, which is accelerating its growth and visibility in the United States. Fun fact: there’s already several well-established recreational cricket leagues right here in Frederick County!

  • A cricket-centric, multi-sport park designed as a park-like community destination, not a massive commercial stadium. The proposed location is 8400 E. Patrick St., Frederick, MD. 

  • Total capacity is approximately 10,000:

    • 5,000 fixed bleacher seats

    • 5,000 grass seating areas

    The intent is a family-friendly, community-scale venue that fits the landscape.

  • Approximately 10 to 15 Major League Cricket matches per year during a 4 to 6 week summer season (June/July). Matches are typically about 3 hours.

  • No. The cricket park is designed for year-round community use and outdoor recreation.

  • The cricket park is envisioned as a flexible space to host a variety of local events beyond professional sports. Potential uses include:

    • Youth Sports – Providing additional field availability for local practice and games

    • Education – Hosting high school graduations or collegiate athletics for institutions like Frederick Community College

    • Culture – Serving as a venue for local cultural festivals, such as Holi, and community markets

    • Nonprofits – Creating space for nonprofit fundraisers and civic gatherings

  • The Washington Freedom Cricket organization is redeveloping the riverfront parcel into a multi-use community facility. Beyond the cricket pitch, the site will allow for additional sports such as soccer, lacrosse, and flag football. Residents will also have access to dedicated nature areas, scenic walking trails, and a new boat launch for canoes and small boats on the Monocacy River.

  • The development includes a public recreational area along the Monocacy River that is approximately 14 acres in size. This space is being specifically improved at the owner’s expense to include pavilions, picnic areas, and wildflower meadows to create a seamless transition between the sports venue and the natural landscape.

  • The park includes a small on-site lot to preserve green space and minimize landscape impact. For professional matches, most parking will take place at the Frederick County Fairgrounds, with patrons transported to the site via a high-frequency shuttle system designed for smooth, efficient access on match days. This also mitigates any traffic congestion.

  • No. We are committed to protecting the accessibility of nearby residential areas. Spectator parking is strictly prohibited on local residential streets and properties. To enforce this, residential neighborhood entrances will be staffed by off-duty police and security personnel to ensure only residents have access. We will also utilize portable electronic message boards at entrances, such as the Tulip Hill neighborhood, to advise the public of these restrictions. Attendees who do not use regional motor coaches will be required to park at the Fairgrounds and use our dedicated shuttle.

  • Per our formal rezoning conditions, event-related parking in the SHA Park and Ride lot is strictly prohibited at any time unless expressly approved by the State Highway Administration. This restriction will be monitored and enforced by the Washington Freedom team.

  • The Washington Freedom has partnered with Traffic Management Solutions (TMS), a global leader in event logistics that managed transportation for the 2024 T20 World Cup, to implement a comprehensive arrival and departure plan. Our strategy focuses on "Innovative Mobility," where approximately 50% of spectators will arrive via regional motorcoaches from hubs in Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, and Baltimore. For local attendees, a scheduled shuttle service will run between the Frederick County Fairgrounds and the park to minimize individual car trips near the site. Additionally, off-duty police and TMS personnel will staff key intersections and traffic signals to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.

  • Arrivals are expected to have a minimal impact because fan trips are spread out over a three-hour period prior to the start of a match, which till frequently begin at 7:00 P.M. Unlike a typical "rush hour" where everyone travels at once, fans tend to arrive early to enjoy the park’s ambiance, walk the trail system, and enjoy local food and beverage vendors.

  • The Major League Cricket season occurs during the summer months when overall traffic on Frederick’s roadway network is naturally lower due to school breaks, the absence of after-school activities, and summer vacations. Major roadways and streets near schools typically experience a 10% to 25% reduction in daily traffic during this period compared to the school year.

  • Matches generally end around 10:00 PM, with departures occurring late in the evening. At this hour, existing traffic volumes on the surrounding road network decrease significantly compared to AM and PM peak hours, allowing fans to depart with minimal disruption to the community.

  • Preserving the health of the Monocacy River is a top priority for our organization. The maintenance of our fields must strictly comply with the Maryland Fertilizer Use Act of 2011. This includes using certified professionals for all applications, adhering to strict nitrogen and phosphorus limits, and maintaining mandatory waterway setbacks for any application of fertilizer. Furthermore, application of fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus is prohibited between November 15 and March 1.

  • The project will significantly improve the site’s current environmental profile. Currently, the land has no formal stormwater management facilities in place. Our development will implement modern management systems governed by the Maryland Stormwater Management Act of 2007 and administered by the City of Frederick. Transforming the site into a cricket park will result in far superior management of stormwater runoff than is occurring today.

  • No. Unlike many professional sports developments, the Washington Freedom Cricket Park is a fully privately funded initiative. No local or state tax dollars are being used for the construction or operation of the facility.

  • No. Because the project is entirely privately funded, it brings new amenities and opportunities to Frederick without increasing the tax burden on residents. The Washington Freedom is covering all costs for infrastructure brought to the site.

  • Independent economic projections estimate:

    • $1.7M+ in combined annual public tax revenue (City + County + State)

    • $13M+ in annual in-venue economic activity (tickets, concessions, parking)

    • 4,000 induced hotel nights annually

    • 53 full-time equivalent jobs

    This activity supports local restaurants, retailers, hotels, and Frederick’s broader economy.

Where can I stay updated or ask questions?

Visit the Updates Page for the latest progress and community activity, or contact our team directly through the Contact Page.