LOS ANGELES (Kashmir English): Cricket is officially making its long-awaited return to the Olympic Games at the LA28 Olympics, 128 years after it was last played at the global sporting event. The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have confirmed the full schedule and venue details.
The LA28 Olympics will feature T20 cricket for both men and women. Six teams from each category will participate in a fast-paced format that is designed to appeal to global audiences. The tournament is set to begin on July 12, 2028, with matches taking place at the newly constructed temporary Fairplex Stadium in Pomona, California.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), back in 2023, had approved the inclusion of cricket in the LA28.
In April this year, the IOC gave its nod for a six-team T20 format for cricket for both men and women each. A quota total of 90 athletes has been allocated for each gender, allowing every team to name a 15-member squad.
Issuing the cricket events schedule today, the ICC announced that the women’s medal match is scheduled for July 20, while the men’s final will be played on July 29. Both events will take place at the Pomona Fairplex, located approximately 50 kilometres from downtown Los Angeles.
In the group stage, teams will play two sides from the opposite pool, excluding the team that finished in the same corresponding position.
For example, Group A winners will face the second and third placed teams in Group B, and vice versa.
Gold medal match dates at LA28 Olympics revealed
According to the official schedule, the women’s medal match will be held on July 20, while the men’s final is scheduled for July 29, aligning with the overall Olympics calendar. Cricket was last played in the 1900 Paris Olympics, making its comeback one of the most anticipated additions to the LA28 Olympics lineup.
In a statement, LA28 Olympics confirmed that the gender sequence and detailed schedule will be announced later this year.
“The gender sequence for events in the 2028 Games is not yet available. As stated in today’s release, a more detailed schedule with medal events and gender order will be released later this year,” LA28 said.
It is anticipated that the T20I rankings at a specific cut-off date will be used to determine the six participating teams.
A key question remains whether the US, as host nation, will receive automatic qualification, which could reduce the number of spots available to other nations.
The LA28 Olympics will mark the first time that many American viewers will experience competitive cricket at the Olympic level. The ICC and the LA28 organizing committee are confident that this event will not only draw global attention but also introduce cricket to new fans in the U.S. and beyond.
The choice of Fairplex Stadium in Pomona, known for hosting large-scale events, reflects a commitment to delivering a world-class venue experience. The stadium will be temporarily upgraded to meet international cricket standards during the Olympic Games.
