Cricket Returns to the Olympics After 128 Years: Cricket will officially return to the Olympic stage at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, marking its comeback for the first time since 1900. Back then, only Great Britain and France played one unofficial Test, with Great Britain winning the gold. Now, after 128 years, cricket returns in a modern, fast-paced T20 format.
Cricket is one of five new sports added to the LA28 programme. Both men’s and women’s T20 tournaments will be played, featuring six teams each (total 12 teams), with gold, silver, and bronze medals in both categories.
LA28 Olympics 2028 Cricket Schedule (Updated)
Cricket matches will begin on July 12, 2028, two days before the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Women’s matches start first, followed by men’s matches after July 21. Medal matches are scheduled for July 20 (Women) and July 29 (Men).
Match Timeline:
| Phase | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Group Stage | July 12–18, 2028 | Double-headers every day |
| Rest Day | July 14, 2028 | No matches |
| Women’s Knockouts & Finals | July 19–20, 2028 | Bronze & Gold Medal matches on July 20 |
| Rest Day | July 21, 2028 | No matches |
| Men’s Group Stage | July 22–28, 2028 | Daily double-headers |
| Men’s Medal Matches | July 28–29, 2028 | Men’s Gold Medal Match on July 29 |
Match Timings:
- Los Angeles Local Time: 9:00 AM & 6:30 PM
- Indian Standard Time (IST): 9:30 PM & 7:00 AM (next day)
Most matchdays feature double-headers, ensuring high-impact cricket for global audiences.
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Venue: Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium, Pomona
All matches will be played at a temporary, purpose-built cricket stadium at the Fairplex in Pomona, a 500-acre venue known for concerts, fairs, exhibitions and sporting events. The stadium will be specially constructed to host Olympic cricket.
- Located ~50 km from Downtown Los Angeles
- Designed as a temporary Olympic cricket venue
- Follows IOC’s sustainability plan of reusing or adapting venues
Format: Fast, Exciting & Olympic-Friendly
- Format: T20 (20 overs per team)
- Total Teams: 6 Men + 6 Women
- Squad Size: 15 players each
- Total Athletes: 180 (90 men + 90 women)
- Match Duration: About 3 hours
This format suits global audiences and allows cricket to blend smoothly into the Olympic TV schedule.
Qualification Update: Pakistan at Risk of Missing Out
The ICC has confirmed that Olympic qualification will not be based on rankings. Instead, regional qualification will decide entry. Only one team from each Olympic ring region will qualify:
- Asia: India (favourites)
- Oceania: Australia
- Europe: Great Britain
- Africa: South Africa
- Americas: USA (Host)
- 1 via Global Qualifier
Due to this rule, Pakistan may not qualify unless two Asian teams are allowed. Their qualification now depends entirely on the ICC’s final global qualifier structure.
Participating Teams & Captains (To Be Confirmed)
Final squads will be confirmed closer to the Games, but the likely participating teams based on regional qualification are:
| Expected Men’s Teams | Possible Captains |
|---|---|
| India | Suryakumar Yadav (likely) |
| Australia | TBD |
| Great Britain (England + Wales + Scotland) | TBD |
| South Africa | TBD |
| USA (Host) | TBD |
| 1 Global Qualifier Team | TBD |
| Expected Women’s Teams | Possible Captains |
|---|---|
| India | Smriti Mandhana (likely) |
| Australia | TBD |
| Great Britain | TBD |
| South Africa | TBD |
| USA | TBD |
| 1 Global Qualifier Team | TBD |
Gender Equality Milestone
LA28 will be the most gender-balanced Olympics in history, with 50.5% women athletes — the highest ever. In cricket too, women’s matches will start the tournament and their final will be held on July 20.
Voices of Legends
- Sachin Tendulkar: “A golden opportunity to showcase cricket globally and involve emerging nations.”
- Mithali Raj: “It’s exciting to see cricket as an Olympic sport. A proud moment for future generations.”
These reactions underline how cricket’s Olympic comeback is not just about medals, but about spreading the game to newer territories and giving athletes a chance to represent their countries on a truly global stages.
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Historical Context
| Year | Event | Format | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | Paris Olympics | 2-day match | Great Britain |
| 1998 | Commonwealth Games | Men’s 50-over | South Africa (Gold) |
| 2022 | Commonwealth Games | Women’s T20 | Australia (Gold) |
| 2023 | Asian Games | T20 (Men & Women) | Cricket featured again |
| 2024 | ICC Men’s T20 WC | T20 | India (Champions) |
| 2025 | ICC Asia Cup 2025 | T20 Mens | India (Champions) |
| 2028 | LA Olympics | T20 | Awaited |
Cricket’s re-entry into the Olympics marks a major global expansion for the sport, opening doors for emerging nations and bringing cricket into millions of new homes.
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Cricket Tournament promises thrilling matches, global viewership, world-class athletes and historic milestones. With T20 energy, a modern venue, gender equality and worldwide interest, LA28 is set to mark a new era for Olympic cricket.
