Cricket in Olympics 2028 is finally a reality! After 128 years, cricket returns to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028, exciting fans, players, and cricket boards worldwide.

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Cricket fans, it’s finally happening — cricket is making a comeback to the Olympic Games! Yes, you read that right. The sport will officially be part of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, and the announcement has created a stir among fans, players, and cricket boards around the world.

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From 1900 to 2028: Cricket’s Long Journey Back to the Olympics

Believe it or not, the last time cricket was played at the Olympics was during the Paris Games in 1900. And know this – only two teams participated: Great Britain and France. The match went on for two days and in the end, Britain won the gold medal. Cricket quietly disappeared from the Olympic stage after that.

Lack of global reach at the time, and to be honest, cricket was not the easiest sport to incorporate into the tight schedule of the Olympics. The logistics were chaotic, and there wasn’t enough international interest to keep it going at the time.

Following today, times have completely changed. The T20 format has made cricket a fast-paced, crowd-friendly spectacle. It’s short, thrilling, and it plays brilliantly on TV – all these things make it a perfect fit for the Olympics. With the booming global leagues like the IPL, BBL, and The Hundred, cricket is no longer just a Commonwealth sport – it has gone completely global.

All the previous attempts to bring cricket back to the Olympics may have failed, but everything seems to be in place this time. And now, after a long gap of 128 years, the sport is all set to make a comeback on the biggest sporting event in the world, the Olympic stage.

Why is Cricket Returning to the Olympics Now?

1.Massive Global Audience

The biggest reason for cricket’s return to the Olympics is its huge fan base. Cricket is not just a sport but a passion shared by billions of people across Asia, Australia, the UK and parts of Africa and the Caribbean. India alone has over 600 million cricket fans and the Indian Premier League (IPL) is also the most watched popular league across the world.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the organisers of Los Angeles 2028 saw a golden opportunity to attract this audience. By bringing cricket – particularly the fast-paced T20 format – to the Olympic stage, they aim to boost global viewership, particularly in regions where Olympic participation has traditionally been low.

This move is not just to expand the Olympics but also to increase the popularity of cricket. With cricket’s global reach, the Olympics could attract new fans and give cricket even more popularity in the 21st century.

2.Boost from T20 Format

Cricket’s return to the Olympics is largely due to T20 cricket. This fast-paced format, which lasts around 3 hours, is perfect for a modern audience and also fits into the Olympic programme.

The popularity of T20 through leagues such as the IPL and BBL has made cricket even more global and entertaining. Its fast, action-packed nature appeals to a younger audience and is ideal for TV and digital platforms.

The IOC sees T20 as an ideal format – short, exciting and gender-inclusive – making it a smart fit for the 2028 LA Olympics.

3.India’s Olympic Participation

One of the most influential reasons behind cricket’s much-anticipated return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is the potential participation of India – a cricket-loving nation with fans numbering in the crores.

India is not just another cricket-playing nation – it is the economic and emotional centre of the sport. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest and most influential cricket board in the world. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most-watched sports events worldwide, attracting the attention of fans, players and sponsors alike.

With such a presence, India’s participation in Olympic cricket will instantly boost the tournament’s popularity, viewership and commercial success.

4.IOC’s Push for Youth-Oriented Sports

One of the most important reasons behind cricket’s return to the Olympics is the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) strategic focus on youth-oriented sports. As the global sports landscape evolves, the IOC is actively revamping the Olympic programme to stay relevant with a younger audience – and cricket, especially in its T20 form, fits perfectly into this approach.

The IOC has recognised a shift in the younger generation’s taste in sports – they prefer shorter, fast-paced and action-packed formats that can be watched quickly and shared easily on social media. This shift has already led to the inclusion of modern, youth-focused sports such as:

Skateboarding

Surfing

Breakdancing

3×3 Basketball

By adding T20 cricket, the IOC is appealing to a larger base of young cricket fans, especially in countries such as India, Pakistan, Australia and England, where cricket is more than just a sport.

Official Confirmation — Cricket in LA 2028

It’s official – cricket is going to be included in the Olympics, and the countdown to Los Angeles 2028 has begun! The news came in October 2023, when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave its final approval, confirming cricket’s inclusion after months of waiting.

The decision was the result of years of effort by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which had been campaigning to bring the sport to the Olympic stage. The IOC clearly agreed, seeing cricket’s ever-growing popularity.

As soon as the announcement was made, social media was abuzz with excitement from fans, players and the board. Veteran cricketers tweeted their joy, while fans dreamed of a gold medal clash between cricket’s giants – the buzz is real, and it’s going to get even stronger as 2028 comes closer.

How Many Teams Are Confirmed for LA 2028?

Cricket is officially making a grand return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028, and this time, it will be in the fast-paced T20 format. The decision was confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board on 9 April, marking a historic moment for the sport.

The tournament will feature six teams each in the men’s and women’s categories, ensuring balanced representation. To support this, the IOC has approved 90 athlete slots per gender, which means each participating country can bring a full squad of 15 players.

While the excitement around cricket’s Olympic comeback is already building, the final venues for the matches in Los Angeles are still under consideration. The complete event schedule will be announced closer to the Games as planning progresses.

How Will the Teams Qualify?

1.Host Country Gets Automatic Qualification

USA is the host of LA28, so their men’s and women’s cricket teams will automatically qualify.

2.Top ICC-Ranked Nations

The remaining 5 spots will likely be based on ICC T20I rankings, as close to the Olympic date (possibly 2027 cut-off).

Teams with the highest ranking at the cut-off point will get the qualification.

3.Possibility of Continental Quotas

A chance that one team from each continent (Asia, Europe, Africa, Americas, Oceania) may qualify to ensure global representation.

Qualification scenario

Slot Type	Team Count
Host Nation (USA)	1
ICC T20 Rankings	4–5
Continental Qualifier (optional)	0–1
Total	6

Which Countries Are Most Likely to Qualify?

Men’s Cricket Teams (Possible):

India
Australia
England
Pakistan
South Africa
USA (host)

Women’s Cricket Teams (Possible):

Australia Women
India Women
England Women
South Africa Women
New Zealand Women
USA Women (host)

Cricket Schedule at the Olympics

While the full LA 2028 schedule isn’t out yet, the cricket event is expected to run over 8 to 10 days during the Olympics.

Tournament format:

2 Groups of 3 teams each
Top 2 from each group proceed to semi-finals
The winning team in the final will get the gold medal or the runner-up team will get the bronze medal

ICC’s Long-Term Olympic Plan

The ICC aims to make cricket a permanent Olympic sport beyond 2028, including:

Brisbane 2032 (Australia) – likely next in line due to strong cricket infrastructure.
Building Olympic-style cricket systems for future host nations.

FAQs

Will India participate in Olympic cricket?

Ans: Most likely yes, based on their T20I rankings, both men’s and women’s Indian teams are top contenders.

What format will be used in the Olympics?

Ans: The T20 format will be played — fast-paced and ideal for the Olympic schedule.

How Many Teams Are Qualify for LA 2028?

Ans: A total of 12 teams will participate — 6 men’s teams and 6 women’s teams.

Will Virat Kohli Play the 2028 Olympic?

Ans: As of now, Virat Kohli has retired from T20Is and hasn’t confirmed any plans for the 2028 Olympics. However, he has hinted he might consider a return if India reaches the final. He’ll be 39 then, so it depends on his fitness and form.

Who is president of 2028 Olympics?

Ans: The President and Chairperson of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee is Casey Wasserman. He has been leading the LA28 organizing efforts, bringing his extensive experience in sports and entertainment to the role.

How did LA get 2028 Olympics?

Ans: Los Angeles was awarded the 2028 Summer Olympics after a unique agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Originally, LA was bidding to host the 2024 Games, competing mainly with Paris. But in July 2017, the IOC decided to award both the 2024 and 2028 Olympics at the same time to avoid the risks and costs of future bidding.

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