Cricket at the Olympics: History, 2028 Los Angeles and the Road to Olympic Cricket
Cricket will return to the Olympics in 2028 at Los Angeles — its first appearance since the 1900 Paris Games. This guide covers cricket's Olympic history, the 2028 format, and what the Games could mean for the sport's global growth.
Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games marks the sport's first Olympic appearance since 1900 — a gap of 128 years. The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include T20 cricket in LA28 was approved in 2023 and reflects cricket's growth as a global sport, particularly the T20 format's appeal to the younger, global audience that the Olympics seeks. For cricket, the Olympics offers access to a massive global platform and potential growth in the United States, the host nation.
Cricket at the 1900 Paris Olympics
Cricket appeared in the 1900 Paris Olympics in a single match: Great Britain (represented by Devon Cricket Club) versus France (represented by a team of British expats living in France). Great Britain won by 158 runs. The match is notable for being the only cricket match in Olympic history until 2028, and for the unusual circumstance that neither team was truly representative of their nation. The 1900 Games were poorly organised (events were spread over six months alongside a World Fair) and many participants did not know they were competing at the Olympics.
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Format
The LA28 Olympic cricket tournament will use the T20 format — the format most suited to Olympic scheduling (each match takes under 3 hours). Six men's teams and six women's teams will participate. The ICC developed qualifying criteria requiring teams to qualify through regional tournaments. The United States team is expected to participate as host nation; India's BCCI was initially resistant to Olympic cricket (citing scheduling congestion and IPL conflicts) but agreed to support participation after ICC negotiations regarding player release.
Strategic Importance for Cricket
Olympic inclusion has historically transformed sports' global profiles — badminton, taekwondo and beach volleyball all saw significant growth after Olympic inclusion. For cricket, the biggest opportunity is the American market: a sport already growing through the 2024 T20 World Cup (co-hosted in the USA, selling out grounds in New York and Florida) gaining Olympic exposure in Los Angeles could accelerate the ICC's long-term US development strategy substantially.
Frequently asked questions
When was the last time cricket was in the Olympics?
Cricket last appeared in the Olympics in 1900 at the Paris Games — 128 years before its return at LA28 in 2028. The 1900 cricket match was played over two days between Great Britain (Devon Cricket Club) and France (British expatriates). Great Britain won by 158 runs. It remains the only cricket match in Olympic history.
Will India compete at the 2028 Olympic cricket tournament?
India is expected to compete at the 2028 LA Olympics cricket tournament, subject to qualification. The BCCI (India's cricket board) initially resisted Olympic inclusion due to scheduling concerns and the potential conflict with the IPL. However, after ICC negotiations, India agreed to support the format. India qualifying for the Olympics through the ICC qualifying pathway would be expected given their T20I rankings.