Cricket Returns to the Olympics for LA28 with T20 Competitions

In a significant announcement for the sport, the upcoming LA28 Olympics will feature T20 cricket competitions for both men's and women's teams, with a total of six teams in each category vying for medals. This tournament will coincide with 90 available athlete slots, allowing countries to field squads consisting of up to 15 members each.

Following revelations about the participating teams and venue back in April, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that the cricket competitions will take place from July 12 to July 29, 2028. The medal matches for women are scheduled for July 20, while men's finals will occur on July 29, ensuring a thrilling culmination to the event.

Cricket's return to the Olympics is historic, as it marks the sport's second-ever appearance after its initial showing in 1900 when Great Britain triumphed over France in a single match. The matches will be conducted at the Pomona Fairplex, located approximately 50 kilometers from the heart of Los Angeles.

The tournament format will feature double-header matchdays, starting at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time, maximizing viewer engagement. This inclusion of cricket not only highlights the sport’s growth on a global scale but also celebrates its development on one of the most prestigious athletic platforms.

While the specifics of qualification for the Olympic Games remain under discussion, a detailed outline is expected to emerge during the ICC Annual Conference taking place in Singapore, starting on July 17. Cricket's Olympic inclusion is a testament to its increasing popularity, particularly with the women's game making headway at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and both men's and women's formats appearing at the Asian Games since 2010.

Recently, the ICC T20 World Cup showcased cricket in America as the USA co-hosted the tournament alongside the West Indies, with matches taking place in various U.S. cities, including a gripping match between India and Pakistan at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.