Cricket back in Olympics, Pomona to host

Cricket will return to the Olympic Games after a 128-year absence, and the venue has been officially announced.

The Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California, has been confirmed as the cricket venue for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The excitement around cricket’s Olympic revival has grown since its inclusion was confirmed, and the IOC Executive Board recently finalized key details, including player quotas and the number of teams.

Both the men’s and women’s T20 competitions will feature 6 teams each, with a 90-player quota each for male and female. Squads of up to 15 players per nation will be allowed. However, the full schedule will be announced closer to the Games.

ICC Chair Jay Shah praised the milestone for the global sport and said, “We welcome the announcement of the venue for cricket at LA28, as it marks a major step in our preparations for the sport’s Olympic return. Cricket’s inclusion is a fantastic opportunity to reach new audiences through the fast-paced T20 format.”

Cricket’s Olympic return was confirmed in October 2023, along with other new sports such as baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash.

The T20 format has appeared in multi-sport events, including the Asian Games (2010, 2014, 2023) and the 2022 Commonwealth Games (women’s T20).