Cricket is set to make its long-anticipated return to the Olympic Games during the 2028 Los Angeles event, with matches scheduled to take place in Pomona. On April 15, organizers revealed that the sport will be hosted at a specially constructed temporary venue located at the Fairgrounds, officially referred to as Fairplex. Spanning nearly 500 acres, Fairplex has been the site of the Los Angeles County Fair since 1922 and serves as a year-round venue for a variety of cultural events, concerts, trade shows, and sports activities. For the LA28 Games, it will serve as the focal point for Olympic cricket, marking the sport’s first Olympic participation in 128 years. LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover expressed pride in the plans for the Games, emphasizing Los Angeles as a hub for sports, culture, and entertainment, and assuring that every venue chosen will enhance the experience for both athletes and spectators.Cricket’s last Olympic appearance occurred during the 1900 Paris Games, where a single two-day match was contested between Great Britain and France. In 2028, the sport will return in the more dynamic and widely embraced T20 format, featuring both men’s and women’s tournaments with six teams each, allowing for a total of 90 athletes per gender and 15-player squads. Cricket is among five new sports introduced to the LA28 program, joining baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. Baseball, a well-known Olympic favorite, will take place at Dodger Stadium, which previously hosted the Cricket All-Stars Series finale in 2015, featuring cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.
Hoover further noted that the 2028 Olympic venue plan encourages communities throughout the region to engage in the celebration of the Games, showcasing thrilling sports at some of the world’s premier stadiums and arenas, as well as renowned beaches and specially designed temporary facilities. Jay Shah, Chair of the International Cricket Council, welcomed the announcement, describing it as a significant step towards cricket’s return to the Olympics. Shah expressed that while cricket enjoys immense popularity, its inclusion in the Olympics, particularly in the dynamic and thrilling T20 format, presents a remarkable opportunity to reach new audiences and push traditional boundaries. He conveyed his appreciation on behalf of the ICC to LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for their backing and expressed eagerness to work together to ensure cricket’s success at the event. The LA28 Olympic Games are scheduled to occur from July 14 to 30, with the complete schedule, including the dates for cricket matches, to be revealed as the event approaches.
