Cricket fans around the world have a major reason to celebrate, as the beloved sport is officially returning to the Olympic Games after an astonishing 128-year absence. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will mark a historic moment as cricket steps back onto the global multi-sport stage.
A Long-Awaited Comeback
The last time cricket featured in the Olympics was way back in 1900 (not 1897) during the Paris Games. Since then, the sport has grown into a global phenomenon, especially in countries like India, Australia, England, Pakistan, and South Africa. After more than a century, it is finally making its Olympic comeback — and this time in a fast-paced format fans love: T20 cricket.
Tournament Dates & Match Schedule
The cricket action at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is set to begin on July 12, with the all-important medal matches taking place between July 20 and July 29.
Key highlights of the schedule include:
Format: Men’s and Women’s T20
A total of 12 teams will participate, featuring six men’s sides and six women’s sides, battling it out for Olympic glory
Players: 15-member squads; a total of 180 players
Every match will be hosted at the purpose-built Fairplex Stadium in Pomona, a city roughly 50 kilometers from central Los Angeles, constructed exclusively to stage the Olympic cricket competition.
Match Timings: Matches will begin at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time.
Rest Days: The schedule includes breaks on July 14 and July 21, with no matches planned on these two dates
Most matchdays will host two back-to-back games, following a double-header format to maximize action and excitement.
Medal Matches in T20 Format
The race for Olympic gold, silver, and bronze will be fought in the high-energy T20 format, promising thrilling encounters and a chance for smaller cricketing nations to shine on the big stage. Both men’s and women’s events will be run side by side, showcasing the global growth of the game across genders.
Qualification Based on Rankings
While official qualification criteria are yet to be finalized, it’s expected that ICC rankings will play a major role in determining which teams qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
Surprisingly, even cricketing powerhouses like Australia may face a competitive path to qualification, depending on their future rankings and performances in upcoming ICC events.
ICC and IOC’s Strategic Partnership
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has worked tirelessly in recent years to bring cricket back to the Olympic platform. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) backed the move enthusiastically, largely driven by cricket’s immense popularity in major broadcast markets such as India, offering huge viewership and commercial potential.
The inclusion of cricket is not just about sport; it’s also about global viewership, revenue, and expanding the Olympics’ relevance in cricket-loving nations.
Final Thoughts: A New Era for Olympic Cricket
Bringing cricket back to the Olympics is a milestone in the sport’s international evolution, signaling its expanding influence and renewed presence on the global athletic platform. With its inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028, cricket has the opportunity to reach new audiences, strengthen its global presence, and perhaps even secure a permanent spot in future Olympic Games.
Fans worldwide will be counting down to July 2028, when cricket, after more than a century, will once again become part of the greatest sporting event on Earth.
