Cricket is all set to make a historic return to the Olympic Games after a gap of 128 years, with six teams vying for glory at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Organizers officially confirmed the development on Wednesday.
The sport last appeared in the Olympics in 1900, during the Paris Games, where Great Britain faced France in a one-off, two-day match — now considered an unofficial Test.
At LA 2028, cricket will be played in the fast-paced T20 format, featuring six teams in both men’s and women’s competitions. Each squad will include up to 15 players, with 90 athlete quotas allotted for each gender.
Also Read: Paris Paralympics Sets New Global Broadcast Coverage Benchmark
The International Cricket Council (ICC) comprises 12 full-member nations, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Zimbabwe. Additionally, 94 countries hold associate membership.
While the qualification criteria are yet to be finalized, it is expected that host nation USA will receive a direct entry, leaving five remaining spots to be filled through ICC rankings or a qualification process. The top five ranked teams as of a designated cut-off date are likely to secure their places.
While the qualification criteria are yet to be finalized, it is expected that host nation USA will receive a direct entry, leaving five remaining spots to be filled through ICC rankings or a qualification process. The top five ranked teams as of a designated cut-off date are likely to secure their places.
Cricket joins four other new sports added to the LA28 Olympic roster: baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave its nod to their inclusion in 2023.
On Wednesday, the IOC Executive Board approved the event program and athlete quotas for the Los Angeles Games, introducing 22 additional medal events compared to Paris 2024. The LA28 program will now feature a record 351 medal events, while the overall athlete quota remains capped at 10,500. An additional 698 slots have been allocated to accommodate the newly included sports.
In a significant step toward gender equality, LA28 will be the first Olympic Games where all team sports will have equal representation for men and women. Boxing will also reach full gender parity, with the addition of a seventh women’s weight category, matching the men’s events.
Prakhar Sachdeo
The Sportz Planet Desk
