Cricket will return to the Olympic Games for the first time in 128 years. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that both men’s and women’s cricket will be part of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Six teams in both the men’s and women’s events. A total of 90 players will participate in each event. The matches will be played in the fast-paced T20 format, making cricket a part of the world’s biggest sporting celebration once again.
Cricket is set to be one of five new sports added to the Los Angeles Olympics, along with squash, flag football, baseball/softball, and lacrosse. The rules for how teams will qualify for the cricket event haven’t been decided yet. Since T20 cricket is played by almost 100 countries, much more than Test or ODI formats, it will be a bit tricky to figure out who gets to play. As the host nation, the USA might get a direct spot in the tournament.
The IOC Executive Board approved the event programme for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on Wednesday, 9 April. There will be 351 medal events at the Games, 22 more than in the Paris Olympics. The main limit for athletes stays at 10,500, but an extra 698 athletes will be allowed to take part in the five new sports added to the Games, the IOC said.
Cricket in the Olympics: Key Highlights
- The tournament will feature 6 teams each in the Men’s and Women’s categories.
- The format of the competition will be T20 (Twenty20).
- USA and 5 other teams will participate in the Olympic cricket event.
- Each team will be allowed to name 15 players for the mega event.
- The Vitality T20 Blast 2025 is also underway, showcasing top domestic talent ahead of the Olympics.
Cricket’s Olympic Comeback: From Commonwealth Success to LA28 and Beyond
Cricket has made a strong comeback in big multi-sport events lately. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, women’s cricket was included for the first time. Australia won the gold medal, while India finished with silver. Then in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, 14 men’s teams and 9 women’s teams took part. India came out on top in both, winning gold in the men’s and women’s events.
Cricket’s journey to the Los Angeles Olympics began in August 2021, when the ICC said it wanted cricket in the Games. The ICC then worked with the LA28 team. In October 2023, their hard work paid off, and cricket was officially added as one of five new sports for the Olympics.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah is already working on a long-term strategy to ensure cricket’s presence in future Olympic Games, including Brisbane 2032. The former BCCI chief played a key role in the campaign to bring cricket to the Olympic stage in 2028.
ALSO READ: IPL 2025: Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals Fined for Slow Over-Rate in Clash Against Gujarat Titans
