The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed that cricket will return to the Olympics at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, with six teams participating in both the men’s and women’s T20 tournaments.
Fairgrounds in Pomona to Host Olympic Cricket in LA28
In a major development for the sport, Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California, has been announced as the venue for cricket at LA28. This marks the first Olympic appearance for cricket in 128 years, following its only outing at the Paris Olympics in 1900.
The ICC has welcomed the venue confirmation, emphasizing it as a key milestone in preparing for cricket’s highly anticipated Olympic return.
ICC Chair Jay Shah on Cricket’s Olympic Comeback
ICC Chair Jay Shah expressed excitement and gratitude towards the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and LA28 organizers:
“We welcome the announcement of the venue for cricket at Los Angeles 2028 as it is a significant step towards the preparation for our sport’s return to the Olympics.
Although cricket is a hugely popular sport globally, featuring it in the fast-paced, exciting T20 format at the Olympics provides a fantastic opportunity to reach new fans and expand the game’s global footprint.
On behalf of the ICC, I want to thank the IOC and LA28 for their support. We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to make cricket a major success at LA28.”
T20 Format to Attract Global Audience
The T20 cricket format, known for its quick, thrilling matches, has been chosen for the Olympics. This format has been instrumental in expanding the game’s popularity, particularly among younger and global audiences.
T20 cricket has already been featured in various multi-sport events, including:
- Asian Games (2010, 2014, and 2023) – men’s and women’s competitions
- Commonwealth Games 2022 (Birmingham) – women’s competition
This Olympic inclusion is seen as a natural progression in the sport’s international growth strategy.
Cricket Among Five New Sports at LA28
Cricket joins four other sports making their debut or return at Los Angeles 2028:
- Baseball/Softball
- Flag Football
- Lacrosse (Sixes)
- Squash
The addition of cricket reflects a growing recognition of its global appeal and the rising popularity of the short-format game, especially in regions like South Asia, the UK, Australia, and beyond.
Cricket at the Olympics 2028 is poised to be a groundbreaking moment for the sport, offering a platform to showcase its dynamic T20 format to a worldwide audience. Stay tuned for updates as the ICC, LA28, and the IOC prepare to deliver an unforgettable cricketing spectacle in Los Angeles.