Olympics 2028: Cricket Set for T20 Format Debut with 6-Team Men’s and Women’s Tournaments
Cricket will make its debut in the T20 format at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, marking the sport’s first appearance at the Olympics in 128 years. The men’s and women’s tournaments will each feature six teams, with matches scheduled from July 12 to July 29 at the Pomona Fairplex, located around 50 kilometers from downtown Los Angeles.
Each tournament will include 90 athlete quotas, with teams allowed to name up to 15 players. The medal matches are set for July 20 for the women’s event and July 29 for the men’s final. Most matchdays will include double-headers, with start times at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time, promising fans two weeks of fast-paced cricket action.
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This Olympic inclusion highlights cricket’s expanding global appeal, particularly through the T20 format. Women’s cricket debuted at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, while both men’s and women’s versions have appeared in the Asian Games in 2010, 2014, and 2023.
The qualification criteria for the LA28 Olympic cricket events have yet to be finalized, but discussions are expected during the ICC’s Annual Conference in Singapore starting July 17. Organizers are focused on ensuring that the most competitive and globally representative teams participate in the historic event.
Cricket’s addition to the Olympics comes amid its growing popularity in North America. In 2024, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies, with matches held in Grand Prairie, Lauderhill, and New York. The high-profile clash between India and Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium drew significant global viewership and highlighted the sport’s potential in the American market.
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