Cricket's Historic Return to Olympics After 128 Years

IOC reveals dates and venue for LA 2028, but qualification process remains the big question

Lausanne, Switzerland - In a landmark decision that will delight billions of cricket fans worldwide, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking the sport's return to the Games after a 128-year absence.

        Key Details:
        Dates: July 19-31, 2028 (during LA28 Olympics)
Venue: Grand Park Stadium (temporary 15,000-seat facility)
Format: T20 (men's and women's tournaments)
Teams: 6 per gender (total 12 teams)
Last Appearance: Paris 1900 (only one match played)

    

The Long Road Back

Cricket's only previous Olympic appearance was at the 1900 Paris Games, where a single match was contested between Great Britain and France (technically a club team from Paris). Britain won by 158 runs in what remains the lowest-scoring international cricket match in history.

"This is a transformative moment for cricket," said ICC Chairman Greg Barclay. "The Olympic platform will help us grow the game in new markets and inspire a generation of young athletes who dream of representing their country on sport's biggest stage."

The Qualification Conundrum

While the dates and venue are set, the qualification process remains cricket's biggest Olympic puzzle. With only six teams per gender and over 100 ICC member nations, the selection criteria will be fiercely debated.

Possible Qualification Pathways:

Host Nation: USA guaranteed one spot per gender
ICC Rankings: Top 4-5 teams automatically qualify
Regional Qualifiers: Continental tournaments for remaining spots
Wild Cards: IOC/ICC discretionary selections

Venue Details

The temporary Grand Park Stadium will be constructed specifically for Olympic cricket in downtown Los Angeles. The 15,000-seat venue will feature:

Drop-in pitches prepared by Australian curators
Modular design allowing quick conversion post-Games
State-of-the-art broadcast facilities
Fan zones showcasing cricket's global culture

Global Reactions

The announcement has sparked excitement across cricket's traditional and emerging markets:

India: BCCI calls it "the missing piece in cricket's global journey"
USA: Major League Cricket sees "unprecedented growth opportunities"
England: ECB pledges to "prioritize Olympic preparation"
Non-Test Nations: Hope for "fair qualification pathway"

What's Next?

The ICC and IOC will finalize the qualification system by mid-2024. Meanwhile, national boards are already adjusting their calendars to accommodate Olympic preparations, with many considering special "Olympic qualifying" bilateral series.