Cricket's Olympic Return at 2028 LA Games

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that cricket will return to the Olympics at the 2028 Los Angeles Games after a 128-year hiatus, with matches held at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California. The T20 format will be used, featuring six men's and six women's teams, each composed of up to 15 players, totaling 90 athletes per gender. This decision reflects a strategic move to grow cricket's appeal, especially in emerging markets like the United States. The venue, Fairplex, will be a temporary, purpose-built structure, similar to the one used in New York for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The inclusion of cricket in LA28 comes alongside other new sports such as baseball/softball and flag football, indicating a broader Olympic strategy to engage diverse audiences. ICC Chair Jay Shah has expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to expand cricket's global footprint through the Olympics.