The cricket will return to the long-awaited return to the Olympic Games at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, marking the first appearance of sport since 1900. The last time the cricket presented to the Olympic Games, Great Britain beat France in Paris to demand gold.
Things will be different this time, with competitions for men and women that should be included. The International Olympic Committee (CIO) announced in October 2023 that cricket would be part of the 2028 games, highlighting the global scope of sport and the potential to engage new audiences. Cricket has an estimated fans base of nearly 2.3 billion.
Alongside the cricket, other sports such as football and squash will make their Olympic debut, while baseball / softball and the butt should come back.
The IOC has now confirmed that cricket events will be held in the Pomona fair field in southern California. A temporary and specially designed place will organize male and female competitions. A similar pop-up stadium was successfully used during the T20 2024 World Cup, which was held in the United States and the Caribbean. This place organized high-level matches, including the highly anticipated Indian-Pakistan competition, attracting large crowds and global viewers.
The proposed Fairplex place extends over 500 acres and is located approximately 50 kilometers east of Los Angeles – an hour’s drive from the village of athletes. The site has hosted the Los Angeles County fair since 1922 and is known for its ability to host large -scale events.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) praised the place announcement on its official website.
“We are welcoming the announcement of the Cricket location in Los Angeles 2028, because this is an important step towards preparing for the return of our sport to the Olympic Games,” said Jay Shah, president of the ICC. “Although cricket is an extremely popular sport, it will be a fantastic opportunity to expand traditional limits when it appears at the Olympic Games in the T20 format with a rapid and exciting rate that should appeal to new audiences.”