Cricket at the Olympics — From 1900 to the 2028 LA Games

Cricket has the unusual distinction of appearing at the Olympic Games exactly once — at the 1900 Paris Olympics — before disappearing entirely from the quadrennial event for 124 years. The ICC's successful bid to include T20 cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics marks a historic return that could transform cricket's global footprint.

The 1900 Paris Olympics — Cricket's Only Olympic Appearance

Cricket was included at the 1900 Paris Games, though the event was so informal by modern standards that many historians question whether it should count as a genuine Olympic competition. Only two teams competed: Great Britain (represented by the Devon and Somerset Wanderers club on tour in France) and France (represented by mostly British expats living in Paris). Great Britain won by 158 runs in the only match played.

Why Cricket Left the Olympics

Cricket was never seriously considered for the Olympics through the 20th century. The key barriers were: cricket's longest formats (Tests, ODIs) were far too long for an Olympics schedule; England and Australia (the dominant powers) were not part of the IOC framework for cricket; and cricket's ICC structure sat separately from national Olympic committees. The sport's failure to globalise quickly also counted against it.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — T20 Cricket's Return

In October 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved cricket's inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, confirming a T20 format for both men and women. The USA co-hosting the 2024 T20 World Cup was part of the cricket-in-America push that made the LA 2028 inclusion credible.

• Format: T20 tournament for 6 men's teams and 6 women's teams
• Venues: likely Los Angeles area cricket facilities including potential new venues
• India's participation: BCCI confirmed India (men and women) will participate — a critical development given India's commercial weight
• Selection: ICC qualification pathway to be determined

Significance for Cricket

Olympic inclusion could transform cricket's global reach. Countries with minimal cricket tradition but strong Olympic programmes — Japan, Brazil, China — would be exposed to T20 cricket through the world's largest sporting event. American audiences could engage with cricket through an Olympic context they understand. For the ICC, Olympic inclusion validates their globalisation strategy and could open new broadcast and sponsorship markets.