A proposal by the International Cricket Council to bring next year’s Cricket World Cup to the Bronx has support from City Hall, but the opposition is loud and clear.

“We in the community feel blindsided and even betrayed by the sheer suddenness of the city’s decision to construct a massive stadium in our local community, in our local park without the barest attempt at community engagement,” said Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres.

What You Need To Know

  • The Cricket Council approached the city about hosting matches in May and June of next year, with construction beginning as early as January

  • The stadium would be built on eight existing cricket pitches, which means they would be off-limits during the crucial early summer months

  • The mayor's office says this tournament has the potential to generate $150 million in economic activity and create thousands of new jobs

The temporary stadium would seat up to 34,000 people and sit on 20 acres of parkland.

The Cricket Council approached the city about hosting matches in May and June of next year, with construction beginning as early as January.

Local officials held a press conference in the Bronx on Friday, accusing City Hall of violating all kinds of rules and regulations.

“It cannot be the case that a local government can freely transfer massive amounts of public land to a private company for a prolonged period of time without any public process,” said Torres.

The stadium would be built on eight existing cricket pitches, which means they would be off-limits during the crucial early summer months.

Some Bronx residents have their own opinions of a massive cricket stadium in Van Cortlandt Park.

“I’m disgusted by it. You can’t ruin the park,” said Bernard Murray, a longtime Bronx resident.

“I really don’t like the idea,” said Adalberto Aquimo, a Riverdale resident. “I think this is a park that should remain for the people of the Bronx.”

Residents are also concerned about congestion in the area.

They believe the park and surrounding neighborhood aren’t equipped to accommodate tens of thousands of cricket fans.

“I think it would create a lot more traffic and lead to development and impair the beauty of this park,” said Rena Greenblatt, a Bronx resident.

“That’s gonna bring a lot more people. This is an area that’s already crowded and besides that, maintenance of the park,” said Aquimo.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office said, “Holding this tournament in New York City also has the potential to generate $150 million in potential economic activity and create thousands of new jobs.”

If the plan does move forward, local lawmakers say they plan to take legal action which would hold up construction for months, well beyond the dates of the World Cup.