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 two teams—Great Britain and France—competed in a two-day match, with Great Britain winning the gold.
This time, the format is more exciting and inclusive. T20 cricket has been approved as one of five new sports added to the LA 2028 Olympics. Both men’s and women’s tournaments will be played, featuring six teams each, competing for gold, silver, and bronze medals.
LA28 Olympics 2028 Cricket Schedule
Cricket matches at LA28 will begin two days before the opening ceremony, making it one of the first events of the Games.
Match Timeline:
| Phase | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage (Women) | July 12 – 18, 2028 | Opening match on July 12 |
| Rest Day | July 14, 2028 | No matches |
| Women’s Semis & Finals | July 19 – 20, 2028 | Medal matches |
| Rest Day | July 21, 2028 | No matches |
| Group Stage (Men) | July 22 – 28, 2028 | Men’s T20 phase |
| Men’s Semis & Finals | July 29, 2028 | Medal matches |
Match Timings:
- Local Time (Los Angeles): 9:00 AM & 6:30 PM
- Indian Standard Time (IST): 9:30 PM & 7:00 AM (next day)
Each matchday will feature double-headers, allowing two games per day.
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Venue: Fairgrounds Stadium, Pomona
All matches will be held at a temporary, purpose-built stadium inside the Fairplex (Fairgrounds Stadium) in Pomona, around 50 km from downtown Los Angeles.
- The Fairplex spans nearly 500 acres
- Historically used for the LA County Fair, concerts, trade shows, and sporting events
This venue will be specially adapted for the Olympic cricket tournament, in line with the IOC’s commitment to using existing or temporary structures.
Format: Fast-Paced & Global
- Format Type: T20 (Twenty20)
- Overs per team: 20
- Match Duration: ~3 hours
- Team Quotas:
- 6 teams (Men’s)
- 6 teams (Women’s)
- 15 players per team
- Total Athletes: 180 (90 men + 90 women)
T20 is the shortest international format, offering big-hitting excitement and tight finishes, perfect for Olympic audiences.
Participating Teams & Captains (To Be Confirmed)
While exact team line-ups and captains are yet to be officially announced, based on current structure and ICC member strength, expected teams may include:
| Men’s Teams | Possible Captains |
|---|---|
| India | Suryakumar Yadav (likely) |
| Australia | TBD |
| England/Great Britain | TBD (as GB team confirmed) |
| West Indies | TBD |
| Pakistan | TBD |
| Host Nation USA | TBD |
| Women’s Teams | Possible Captains |
|---|---|
| India | Smriti Mandhana (likely) |
| Australia | TBD |
| England/Great Britain | TBD |
| South Africa | TBD |
| West Indies | TBD |
| TBD (Qualification) | TBD |
Great Britain will field a combined GB team, a unique arrangement for the Olympics (as per Article 6).
Each team will be finalized closer to the event, possibly through ICC qualification pathways.
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 defeated France |
| 1998 | Commonwealth Games | Men’s 50-over | South Africa (Gold) |
| 2022 | Commonwealth Games | Women’s T20 | Australia (Gold) |
| 2023 | Asian Games | Men’s & Women’s T20 | Cricket featured again |
| 2024 | ICC Men’s T20 WC | T20 | India (Champions) |
| 2028 | LA Olympics | Men’s & Women’s T20 | Awaited |
Cricket has made significant strides at multi-sport events and now takes the center stage again at LA28.
Cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is a historic step forward for the sport. With a fast-paced T20 format, world-class teams, and a stunning venue in Pomona, the event is set to offer unforgettable moments for fans and players alike. This is not just a tournament — it’s the beginning of a new era for Olympic cricket.
