Cricket returns to Olympics after century

Los Angeles

Cricket is set to make its long-awaited return to the Olympic Games at the Los Angeles 2028 edition, marking its first appearance in the event since 1900. Matches will be held at Fairgrounds Stadium in Pomona, approximately 50 km from downtown Los Angeles. The tournament will run from July 12 to July 29, with the medal matches scheduled on July 20 and July 29.

Both the men’s and women’s events will feature six teams each, with a total of 180 players participating in the T20 format. Each team will have a 15-member squad, as per the athlete quota of 90 male and 90 female cricketers approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The tournament schedule includes rest days on July 14 and 21, while most match days will feature double-headers to accommodate the condensed competition format. Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Games is seen as a major step forward for the sport, especially after its growing popularity in the U.S., highlighted by the successful hosting of the 2024 T20 World Cup across venues like Lauderhill, Grand Prairie, and New York.

Cricket is among five sports added to the LA28 program, alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass lauded the decision, stating the Games will reflect the diversity of the region and leave a lasting legacy through initiatives like PlayLA, which has already seen over one million enrollments. This return marks a new era for cricket on the global stage.