North Texas is the epicenter of sports this week, with both the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars competing in the championship game, plus a ton of other events: the U.S. Women's National Volleyball team (three-time VNL champions and Olympic champions) will play in Arlington from May 28 to June 2, and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and the second season of Major League Cricket will be held at Grande Prairie Stadium in June and July.
The FIVB Women's Volleyball Tournament will run through June 2 at the College Park Center in Arlington as the final major volleyball event before the Paris Olympics and the only VNL matches held in the United States this year. The VNL is the world's premier international indoor volleyball tournament, with the world's top 16 teams competing for the prestigious VNL Trophy.
Coppell Volleyball Stars
Popular local players to watch on the U.S. women's team include sisters Avery and Madison Skinner and Coppell native Chiaka Ogbogu, who has been a member of the U.S. team since 2018. Ogbogu, who won an Olympic gold medal in 2020 and a Vietnam National League title in 2019 and 2021, has played professionally in Italy, Poland and Turkey. Ogbogu was a three-time AVCA First Team All-American at the University of Texas and is the school's all-time leader in blocks and block assists.
Volleyball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and Arlington is a great opportunity for Texas to showcase the unique volleyball culture they are known for. The U.S. Women's National Team will host VNL 2023 champions Turkey, along with Canada, South Korea, Germany, Serbia, Bulgaria and Poland. Spectators can expect a week of intense volleyball competition featuring the world's best athletes. Tickets can be purchased at VNLTickets.com, with prices starting at $16 for children and $23 for adults, excluding fees.
How about some cricket?
Following the excitement of Major League Cricket's debut in the United States in 2023, cricket fever will once again sweep North Texas this summer. Grand Prairie Stadium will host the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and the second season of Major League Cricket in 2024. The opening match of the T20 World Cup on Saturday, June 1, will mark the first time the United States will host a global cricket event.
Cricket continues to expand into new markets and is seeking to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The 2024 World Cup tournament will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States until 29 June, with the United States matches taking place in Grande Prairie, Lauderhill (Florida) and Nassau County (New York).
How to watch T20 World Cup cricket: Tickets for the World Cup are available in limited supply, and fans are encouraged to check the Visit Grand Prairie website as tickets are released regularly.
Free World Cup viewing party
The City of Grande Prairie will host a series of free World Cup viewing parties on the Jambox lawn at EpicCentral Grande Prairie Entertainment Complex (home to Chicken n Pickle, Boulder Adventure Park, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark and a host of newly opened restaurants including Vidora, Loop 9 BBQ and The Finch). Ilvia, a daily Las Vegas-style water and light show, will also be held here. Viewing parties are free at the Jambox at EpicCentral Grande Prairie (2971 State Hwy 161). Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. For more information, click visitgrandprairietx.com/iccworldcup.
Following the World Cup final in Grande Prairie on June 7, Grande Prairie Stadium will be ready for the start of the 2024 Major League Cricket season as the home ground of the Texas Super Kings and the venue for MLC postseason matches.
MLC Season Schedule
The MLC season will open with the Texas Super Kings taking on the Los Angeles Knight Riders at 7:30 PM on July 5. The final tournament (regular season) match will be played with the Texas Super Kings taking on the Seattle Orcas at 7:30 PM on July 23. The playoff matches will be held at Grande Prairie Stadium from July 24 to 28.
“Cricket is the second most popular sport on the planet, so we're thrilled to be selected for both Major League Cricket and the ICC Men's T20,” said Grande Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen. “We're pleased, but not surprised, as Grande Prairie continues to emerge as a premier entertainment destination in North Texas and beyond. We look forward to welcoming new and experienced cricket fans alike to our great city.”
The tournament will feature three weeks of non-stop T20 action featuring international stars and top domestic players (including Texas Super Kings' Devon Conway and Faf du Plessis) and will feature live entertainment, fireworks, player autograph sessions and meet-and-greets, merchandise giveaways, food trucks and more.
