Cricket is officially set to return to the Olympic Games after 128 years, as confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with the T20 format chosen for both men’s and women’s competitions at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
The tournament will run from July 12 to July 29, 2028, and will be staged at the Pomona Fairplex, located about 50 kilometers from downtown Los Angeles.
According to the IOC’s announcement, the women’s medal match is scheduled for July 20, while the men’s final will take place on July 29.
This marks the first time since the Paris 1900 Games that cricket will be featured at the Olympics. In that historic match, Great Britain clinched the gold medal in a one-off encounter against France.
The return of cricket to the Olympic stage is seen as a major step in expanding the sport’s global footprint and reaching wider audiences.
Each tournament will feature six teams, with 90 athlete quotas per gender allowing nations to field squads of up to 15 players. Matches will be played as double-headers on most days, with games starting at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time, providing fans with two opportunities each day to enjoy high-quality T20 action.
The choice of Pomona Fairplex as the venue promises a dedicated atmosphere tailored for cricket, aiming to offer a unique Olympic experience for both players and spectators.
The format and scheduling have been crafted to maintain competitive intensity and fan engagement throughout the 17-day tournament.
While the official schedule and venue details have been finalized, the qualification pathway for participating teams is still under discussion. This topic is expected to be a central part of the agenda at the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Annual Conference, which begins on July 17 in Singapore.
The inclusion of cricket in LA28 is being hailed as a landmark moment, reflecting the sport’s rising global popularity and the Olympic movement’s effort to embrace more diverse and internationally followed sports.
Cricket’s comeback not only revives a long-dormant Olympic chapter but also positions the game alongside the world’s most celebrated athletic disciplines.