Cricket at 2028 Olympics: Format, Teams, Venue

Cricket at 2028 Olympics: Format, Teams, Venue, and Everything We Know

Cricket at 2028 Olympics will mark the sport’s return to the Games after a long wait of 128 years! Yes, you read that right — cricket was last played at the Olympics in 1900. Now, in Los Angeles 2028, it’s back in the form of men’s and women’s T20 tournaments.

So, what’s the format? Who’s playing? Where will it happen? Let’s break it down.

📅 When Will Cricket Be Played at LA 2028?

The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will run from July 14 to 30. While exact match dates for cricket haven’t been revealed, the event will be part of the main Olympic schedule.

🏟️ Where Will the Matches Happen?

The cricket games will be held in Pomona, a city just east of Los Angeles. Matches will be played at a temporary stadium at Fairplex, a 500-acre venue known for fairs, concerts, and sporting events.

🏏 What’s the Format and Who Qualifies?

Both men’s and women’s tournaments will feature six teams each. Each team will have a 15-member squad.

The official qualification rules haven’t been confirmed. However, there’s a possibility that Great Britain may field a combined team through coordination between the ECB and Cricket Scotland.

As the host, USA has a strong claim for automatic inclusion, though their ICC associate status makes it tricky.

❌ Who’s Not Playing?

• Virat Kohli, despite joking about a return, has retired from T20Is after India’s 2024 World Cup win.

• The West Indies won’t participate as a united team. Instead, individual Caribbean nations might play (as Barbados did in the 2022 Commonwealth Games).

🤔 Why Is Cricket Returning Now?

According to the IOC, the rise of the T20 format and the global success of the IPL played a big role in cricket’s inclusion.

There’s also a big commercial reason — the Olympics wants India more engaged, and cricket is the way in.

In the US, the sport is growing fast, helped by Major League Cricket and the 2024 T20 World Cup, which was partly hosted there.

🔮 Will Cricket Stay in Future Olympics?

Yes, most likely! Cricket is also expected to feature at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

The finals may take place at The Gabba, which will be demolished later for a new 60,000-seat cricket stadium.

🕰️ A Flashback to 1900

Cricket was last played at the Paris 1900 Olympics.

• Only two teams played: Great Britain and France.

• Britain won by 158 runs.

• Medals were later upgraded from silver/bronze to gold/silver.

• Both teams also received mini Eiffel Tower souvenirs!

Cricket fans worldwide are thrilled for this comeback. The T20 format will bring high energy and global viewership to LA 2028.

Stay tuned with Cricket Army for updates on Olympic cricket, player announcements, and global schedules.

For official Olympic sport details, visit Olympics.com.