Cricket will officially make its return to the Olympic Games in 2028, with all matches scheduled to be played at the Fairgrounds Stadium in Pomona, about 50 kilometres from downtown Los Angeles. The much-anticipated comeback of the sport — after its only appearance at the Paris Olympics in 1900 — will take place between July 12 and July 29, 2028, as part of the LA Games.
According to the competition schedule released by the organisers, the cricket event will follow the T20 format and include six teams each in both men’s and women’s categories, making up a total of 12 teams and 180 players. Each team can name up to 15 players in their squads, following the allocation of 90 athlete quotas per gender.
The cricket action at the Olympics will begin on July 12. No matches are scheduled for July 14 and July 21, and most of the competition days will feature double-headers to accommodate the format and ensure fair rest between games.
The women’s medal matches are slated for July 20, while the men’s medals will be decided on July 29, bringing the cricket leg of the Olympics to a grand finish.
This marks a historic moment for the game, which has long waited to return to the Olympic fold. The only previous appearance of cricket in the Olympics was 128 years ago at the Paris Games, where Great Britain defeated France in a two-day match to win the gold.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved cricket’s inclusion for LA 2028 alongside four other sports: baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash — all chosen to reflect growing global interest and regional popularity.
Cricket’s resurgence in the United States has been evident in recent years, with venues in Grand Prairie (Texas), Lauderhill (Florida), and Nassau County (New York) successfully hosting matches during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
“We are already delivering that legacy,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “When the world comes here for these Games, we will highlight every neighbourhood... and ensure it leaves a monumental legacy.”
