Chainsaws and bulldozers are already at work on a wooded stretch off Cedar Creek Road near I-95, clearing the way for a proposed U.S. Open Sports Complex that boosters say could turn Fayetteville into a serious player in international cricket. The privately financed project would cover about 75 acres and fold together stadiums, training facilities and residential units in a mixed-use campus. Backers say the site is being designed to lure major tournaments, concerts and big broadcast audiences.
According to CBS17, the development carries an estimated price tag of roughly $150 million and calls for two international-standard cricket stadiums, each seating around 15,000 fans. Plans shown to the station feature rooftop restaurants, sky lounges and oversized scoreboards aimed squarely at major events. Developers also described additional soccer fields, a sizable fitness center and about 500 apartments intended for players, staff and visiting teams. They say site work has already begun on the Cedar Creek Road parcel near I-95.
What’s Planned
Supporters are branding the proposal as the U.S. Open Sports Complex, a mixed-use campus anchored by a pair of international cricket ovals with built-in hospitality space and adjacent multifamily housing. The concept is featured on the Cricket Council USA website and has appeared in local coverage as part of a broader push to build tournament-grade fields and residential units along the I-95 corridor. Early descriptions emphasize facilities tailored for domestic league play with the flexibility to host occasional international fixtures.
Developers Pitch Fayetteville
Developers and local allies are touting the project as a future economic engine that could spin off jobs and steady visitor traffic. “Opportunity for the locals is going to be huge,” Mahammad Qureshi told CBS17. Mayor Mitch Colvin has also thrown his support behind the idea, calling it “a world-class facility that will bring international attention and new economic opportunities.” The group behind the proposal has floated a pro franchise, tentatively named the North Carolina Airborne, as a long-term anchor tenant for the complex.
How It Fits Into U.S. Cricket Growth
Developers are leaning heavily on cricket’s rising profile in the United States to make their case. The country co-hosted the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and international governing bodies have tagged North America as a prime growth market ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That momentum is central to the pitch as planners seek broadcasters, sponsors and tournament dates for Fayetteville. Observers say a ready-made venue with serious training capacity could help southern markets attract more exhibition and qualifying events.
What To Watch Next
The ambitious build still has to clear the usual local hurdles, including approvals, utility and road upgrades, financing and community feedback. Past development ideas around Cedar Creek Road and Exit 49 have already sparked debate at City Hall over rezoning and apartment projects, so the timetable for permits and infrastructure commitments will be worth watching. For now, developers say they plan to continue site work and roll out public outreach while they pursue the necessary approvals and potential event partnerships.
