Cricket To Be Played In Pomona During 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

The city of Pomona in Southern California has been announced as the host for the cricket competition during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Cricket is making a long-awaited return to the Olympic stage after 128 years. The competition will feature six teams each in the men’s and women’s categories and will be played in the T20 format at the Fairplex, a multi-purpose venue in Pomona located about 48 kilometers from central Los Angeles.

Also Read: Cricket Returns To The Olympics After 128 Years, 28 More Medal Events Added For LA Games

While Fairplex is known for hosting a variety of events—ranging from conventions and educational expos to motorsports—it currently does not have a designated cricket ground. Nevertheless, the venue is being prepared to welcome international cricket as the sport reclaims its Olympic status for the first time since its sole appearance at the 1900 Paris Games.

ICC chairman Jay Shah welcomed the announcement, calling it “a significant step towards the preparation for our sport’s return to the Olympics.”

“Cricket is a hugely popular sport, and its inclusion in the fast-paced, thrilling T20 format at LA28 offers a great chance to reach new audiences and expand the game’s global footprint,” Shah said in an official release.

Cricket was officially added to the Los Angeles 2028 programme during the International Olympic Committee’s 141st Session held in Mumbai in October 2023. It joins four other new sports: baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash.

The T20 format has already proven successful in other major multi-sport events, including the Asian Games (2010, 2014, and 2023) and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which featured a women’s tournament.

Prakhar Sachdeo
The Sportz Planet Desk