Cricket is all set to make a historic return to the Olympics after 128 long years—and it will do so in grand style by kicking off the sporting extravaganza even before the official opening. The LA28 organizing committee has revealed that cricket will begin two days ahead of the scheduled start of the Los Angeles Olympics, with matches commencing on July 12, 2028. This early launch ensures cricket is one of the marquee attractions leading into the Games, marking a monumental moment for the sport globally and particularly for emerging cricketing nations like the USA.

Cricket to Kick Off LA28 Ahead of Schedule

The Los Angeles Olympics 2028, officially running from July 14 to 30, will see cricket and a few select events starting as early as July 12. These pre-Olympic days have been uniquely designated as “Minus 2” (July 12) and “Minus 1” (July 13) by the LA28 organisers.

Cricket will be played across two key blocks:

Block 1: July 12 to 18
Medal Matches (First Block): July 19
Block 2: July 22 to 28
Final Match (Second Block): July 29

The competition will wrap up just one day before the grand Olympic closing ceremony on July 30.

Venue: Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium, Pomona

Cricket at LA28 will be hosted at the Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium in Pomona, approximately 48 kilometers from downtown Los Angeles. This newly-designed stadium will be a purpose-built structure to showcase the sport on the grandest stage.

“For nearly a century, this location has served as the home of the annual LA County Fair and hosts a variety of year-round events, including trade shows, conventions and sporting events. The sprawling grounds will serve as the backdrop for Cricket’s triumphant return to the Olympic Games—128 years in the making,” stated the LA28 release.

This ambitious infrastructure is expected to introduce millions of Americans to cricket and leave a lasting legacy for the sport in North America.

Format and Gender Sequence

Each of the men’s and women’s tournaments will feature six teams, with matches likely held in sequence, though LA28 has yet to finalize the order.

When asked about the schedule, LA28 responded, “The gender sequence for events in the 2028 Games is not yet available. As stated in today’s release, ‘A more detailed schedule with medal events and gender order will be released later this year.‘” This leaves open the possibility that men’s and women’s events could alternate or be grouped to ensure equal visibility and impact.

How Will Teams Qualify?

While the venue and dates have been set, the final list of participating nations will depend on qualification criteria to be confirmed by the ICC. The International Cricket Council will deliberate this during its Annual Conference from July 17 to 20 in Singapore.

Sources suggest the most likely qualification path will be based on ICC rankings, though some voices have advocated for a qualifying tournament that includes Associate Nations. However, with the international cricket calendar already packed, insiders believe a qualifying tournament is unlikely.

A Historic Moment: Cricket Returns to the Olympics

Cricket last featured in the Olympics in 1900, during the Paris Games, where Great Britain defeated France in a single-match contest. Since then, the sport has grown exponentially—particularly in the Indian subcontinent—and its return to the Olympic fold is seen as a strategic move to expand the Games’ global footprint.

With the USA being one of the fastest-growing cricketing nations and India being a commercial powerhouse in the sport, LA28 offers the perfect platform to reignite Olympic cricket.