Olympic Cricket Confirmed for LA 2028, USA Likely to Get Direct Entry
Cricket is set to return to the Olympics after more than a century, with the sport confirmed as part of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The announcement, made by the organisers, marks a major milestone for cricket fans around the world.
The last time cricket featured at the Olympics was in 1900, during the Paris Games, where just one match was played between Great Britain and France. That game is now regarded as an unofficial Test.
At LA 2028, six teams will take part in the Olympic cricket competition. Each team will have a 15-player squad, with a total of 90 athlete spots reserved for each gender — men’s and women’s teams.
While the qualification process has not yet been finalised, it is expected that the host country, the United States, will receive automatic entry. The remaining five teams will likely qualify through tournaments to be held closer to the Games.
Cricket's governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), currently has 12 full member countries, including India, Australia, England, Pakistan, and South Africa, as well as 94 associate member nations.
Cricket is one of five new sports approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for inclusion in LA 2028. The other four are baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash.
The return of cricket to the Olympics is expected to boost its global popularity, especially in countries where the sport is still developing.
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