The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially welcomed the selection of the Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California, as the designated venue for cricket at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) — marking the sport’s historic return to the Olympics after a 128-year hiatus.
The T20 format, widely regarded as the most dynamic and accessible version of the game, will be featured in both men’s and women’s competitions, each with six teams vying for Olympic glory. This marks a monumental step in cricket’s global journey, building on its rising popularity and efforts to enter new markets.
ICC Chair Jay Shah expressed optimism and excitement following the announcement, calling it a “significant step” toward cricket’s reintroduction to the Olympic stage.
Jay Shah, ICC Chair:
“Although cricket is a hugely popular sport, it will be a fantastic opportunity to expand traditional boundaries when it features in the Olympics in the fast-paced, exciting T20 format that should appeal to new audiences.
On behalf of the ICC, I want to express my gratitude to LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for their support and look forward to collaborating with them and ICC Members in preparing for LA28 and making cricket a huge success there.”
Cricket last featured in the Olympic Games in Paris in 1900, with only a single match between Great Britain and France. Its re-entry into the Games was confirmed during an IOC meeting in Mumbai in October 2023, following sustained efforts from the ICC and member nations.
Cricket joins five new sports at LA28:
- Baseball/Softball
- Flag Football
- Lacrosse (sixes)
- Squash
- Cricket (T20)
The T20 format has already been embraced by other global multi-sport events. Both men’s and women’s cricket featured at the Asian Games (2010, 2014, 2023), and a women’s tournament took center stage at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
With LA28 on the horizon, the ICC now gears up for a global showcase that could be a watershed moment in cricket’s journey—blending sport, culture, and a fresh, Olympic-sized audience.
