By Zainab Shafiq 
In a striking blend of history and innovation, cricket is preparing for a long-awaited Olympic return at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles (LA28)—more than a century after its only appearance in 1900. The LA28 Organising Committee has confirmed that the game will unfold at a custom-built temporary venue at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, roughly 50km from downtown LA.
Known officially as Fairplex, the 500-acre site has been home to the Los Angeles County Fair since 1922. Now, it’s set for a dramatic transformation to host the fast-paced T20 format, welcoming both men’s and women’s cricket into the Olympic fold in a bold, modern spectacle designed to captivate American and global audiences alike.
Each competition will feature six teams, with 90 athlete spots allocated across the two events. Full qualification criteria are yet to be revealed, but each squad is expected to include 15 players. The decision marks a historic expansion for the sport, aiming to cross cultural boundaries and establish a deeper foothold in new territories.
Jay Shah, chair of the ICC, welcomed the announcement as a “significant step” in cricket’s Olympic journey, emphasizing the potential of the T20 format to engage viewers unfamiliar with the sport. The success of pop-up cricket venues during the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean—especially the much-watched India vs. Pakistan clash in New York—showcased how adaptable and appealing the sport can be in non-traditional markets.
Cricket will be one of five new sports added to the LA28 lineup, alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. This blend of classic and contemporary sports signals the Olympics’ ongoing evolution toward broader appeal and cultural inclusivity.
Looking beyond 2028, cricket is expected to maintain Olympic momentum, with tentative plans for its inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Games. If confirmed, the cricket finals could serve as the final sporting act at the iconic Gabba before its planned demolition—an emotional farewell to a storied venue.
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