Cricket's Olympic Comeback: A 128-Year Wait Ends
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a monumental announcement that is set to thrill fans across India and the globe: cricket will officially return to the Olympic Games at the Los Angeles 2028 edition. This marks the sport's first appearance on the Olympic stage in 128 years, with its sole previous outing being at the Paris Games in 1900.
The LA 2028 Cricket Format and Schedule
The modern version of the game will feature the fast-paced T20 format for both men and women. Each division will see six top teams battling for glory across a total of 28 high-octane matches. The competitions are scheduled to run from July 12 to July 29, 2028.
Fans can mark their calendars for the medal clashes. The women's medal matches are set for July 20, while the men will compete for their medals on the final day, July 29. All the cricketing action will be hosted at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, located approximately 50 kilometers from downtown Los Angeles.
Building a Global Pathway for Cricket
The ICC's decision is a strategic move to accelerate the sport's global growth. The governing body confirmed its ongoing collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the LA28 organizers to deepen cricket's footprint in the global multi-sport landscape.
To ensure a wider reach, cricket will also feature in several major multi-sport events leading up to the 2028 Olympics. These include:
- The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
- The 2027 African Games in Cairo, Egypt
- Cricket's debut at the 2027 PanAm Games in Lima, Peru
In a significant financial boost for developing cricketing nations, the ICC Board has approved a nearly 10% increase in funding distribution to associate members for 2026. This uplift is designed to help these countries invest more in domestic programs and high-performance structures.
Embracing the Digital Future
Looking ahead, the ICC is also embracing technology to engage the next generation of fans. The Board has approved an Invitation to Tender for Video Gaming Rights, aiming to partner with global leaders to create immersive digital fan experiences.
Furthermore, a new data consolidation project will leverage data clusters to drive AI-powered fan engagement and enhanced analytics. This initiative seeks to unlock new commercial opportunities for ICC's Members and deepen consumer understanding across the global cricket ecosystem.
With 90 athlete quotas allocated per gender and 15-player squads for each nation, the stage is set for cricket to captivate a new, global audience and cement its place in the Olympic movement for years to come.
