Cricket is all set to make its much-awaited comeback to the Olympic Games after a 128-year hiatus.
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will feature both men’s and women’s T20 tournaments at the purpose-built Fairgrounds Stadium in Pomona, approximately 50 kilometres from the city centre.
The tournament will run from July 12 to July 29, with medal matches scheduled for July 20 and 29. Six national teams per gender will participate, with each team allowed a squad of 15 players. Altogether, 180 athletes will compete in this milestone event.
Organisers have confirmed that matches will be staged as double-headers, beginning at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time, while no games are scheduled for July 14 and 21.
The venue—officially named Fairplex—spans 500 acres and has hosted a range of cultural, sporting, and entertainment events since 1922. “We are hosting a Games for all and ensuring a monumental legacy,” stated LA Mayor Karen Bass.
This marks cricket’s second Olympic appearance, following its sole inclusion in the Paris 1900 Games, where Great Britain took gold over France in a two-day affair. Its return is a reflection of the sport’s growing footprint globally, especially in regions like the United States, which recently co-hosted the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Cricket joins four other newly approved sports for LA 2028: flag football, baseball/softball, squash, and lacrosse (sixes). With increasing global visibility, the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is poised to elevate the sport’s reach and inspire future generations of athletes.
