Cricket set to return at LA 2028 olympics as ICC confirms tournament dates

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed the dates for cricket’s return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028, marking a historic comeback after 128 years.

The men’s and women’s T20 competitions will run from July 12 to July 29, 2028, with all matches set to be played at the Pomona Fairplex, located around 50 kilometers from downtown Los Angeles.

Cricket last featured at the Olympics in 1900, when Great Britain defeated France in a one-off match to win gold. The LA28 edition will be the second time the sport is included in the Games.

Each tournament will feature six teams per gender, with each team allowed a 15-member squad. This brings the total number of athletes to 90 for each competition.

The group stage format is designed so that teams will not play against the side that finishes in the same position in the opposite group. For example, the Group A winner will face the second and third-placed teams from Group B, and vice versa.

Results from all matches will determine the overall rankings. The top two teams will advance to the final to fight for the gold medal, while the third and fourth-placed teams will play for bronze.

The women’s final is scheduled for July 20, while the men’s final will take place on July 29. Most matchdays will include double-headers, with games starting at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time.

While the full schedule and gender order are yet to be announced, the LA28 committee stated, “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.’”

The qualification process is still under discussion and is expected to be addressed during the ICC’s Annual Conference in Singapore, starting July 17. It is likely that the T20I rankings at a specific cut-off date will be used to decide the six participating teams.

One major uncertainty is whether host nation USA will gain automatic entry. If confirmed, it could reduce the number of qualifying spots for other countries.

The return of cricket to the Olympic stage is a major step in expanding the sport’s reach, offering global exposure and a chance to engage new fans worldwide.