Cricket Returns to the Olympics After 128 Years at LA 2028
Cricket is officially making a comeback to the Olympic stage at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, marking its first appearance since the 1900 Paris Olympics—a historic moment 128 years in the making.
This time, the sport will feature in the T20 format, with both men’s and women’s competitions. Only six teams in each category will battle it out for the gold, keeping the format tight, fast-paced, and highly competitive. A total of 90 players are expected to participate.
A Long-Awaited Return
The last time cricket was played at the Olympics, only two teams (England and France) competed in a single match. Fast forward to 2028, and cricket is now a global phenomenon, thanks to the rise of T20 leagues and international tournaments.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) began pushing for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics in August 2021. Following talks with the LA28 Organising Committee, the proposal was approved in October 2023. Cricket will now be joined by four other new sports: squash, flag football, lacrosse, and baseball/softball.
Qualification Race: Who’s In?
As of now, the qualification process is still being finalized. However, the USA, as host nation, is expected to qualify automatically. The remaining five spots will likely be determined based on ICC T20I rankings or a designated qualifying tournament.
In the men’s T20I rankings, top contenders include:
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India
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Australia
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England
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New Zealand
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West Indies
For women’s T20I cricket, the frontrunners are:
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Australia
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England
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New Zealand
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India
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South Africa
Currently, Pakistan is ranked No. 7 in Men’s T20Is and No. 8 in Women’s T20Is, placing them at risk of missing out unless their performance improves over the next few years.
Why This Matters
The inclusion of cricket at the Olympics is a major step forward for the sport’s global recognition. It offers associate nations and lesser-known cricketing teams a chance to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage. It also opens the door for increased investment, wider fan engagement, and youth development, especially in non-traditional cricket nations like the USA.
Final Thoughts
With gold medals and international pride on the line, the road to LA 2028 will be fiercely contested. Teams hovering outside the top six will need to step up their game, while fans can look forward to history in the making as cricket returns to the Olympics.
