Cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Cricket returns to the Olympics in 2028 after a 128-year absence. Learn about the T20 format being used, which teams will qualify, and what this means for the global growth of the game.
Cricket will return to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1900 when the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics begins. The ICC and IOC confirmed cricket's inclusion in the LA28 programme — a landmark moment for the sport's global ambitions, particularly in a market like the United States where cricket is still a developing force.
The Format
Cricket at the 2028 Olympics will be played in the T20 format — the shortest and most spectator-friendly version of the game. Six men's teams and six women's teams will compete in each tournament. The T20 format was chosen because it fits within the Olympic schedule (matches take around three hours), generates exciting finishes, and is the format most accessible to new audiences.
Qualification Process
Teams qualified through a combination of ICC World Rankings and regional qualifying tournaments. India, Australia, England, Pakistan, and the host United States were among the expected participants. Qualification was spread across multiple regional pathways to ensure representation from the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia.
What It Means for Cricket
Inclusion in the Olympics is seen as transformative for cricket's global growth strategy. The Olympic platform exposes the sport to billions of viewers worldwide — many of whom may never have seen cricket before. The focus on the United States as host, a major market where cricket is gaining traction through the IPL broadcasts and the 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosting, amplifies the opportunity considerably.
Frequently asked questions
When did cricket last appear at the Olympics?
1900 in Paris — only two teams played (Great Britain and France), and Great Britain won.
What format will be used for cricket at the 2028 Olympics?
T20 format, with 6 men's and 6 women's teams competing in each tournament.