Cricket is all set to return to the Olympics after a gap of 128 years! The last time cricket was played at the Olympics was way back in 1900 in Paris. Back then, it was just a two-day match between Great Britain and France, but now, cricket will be played in the exciting T20 format at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Six teams will compete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. While the qualification process has not been finalized yet, it is expected that the host nation, the USA, will get a direct entry into the competition. This means only five other teams will qualify based on their rankings in the ICC (International Cricket Council) list as of a specific date.
The ICC is the global governing body for cricket, with 12 full member countries like India, Australia, England, Pakistan, and others. There are also 94 associate member nations. With cricket returning to the Olympics, fans around the world are excited to see how this shorter, fast-paced T20 format will capture the spirit of the Games.
Cricket is one of five new sports added to the LA 2028 lineup. The others include baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. These additions bring the total number of medal events to a record 351, with more opportunities for athletes to shine.
Another big highlight of the LA 2028 Games is gender equality. For the first time ever, all team sports will have an equal number of men’s and women’s teams competing. Boxing will also achieve full gender parity by adding a seventh weight category for women.
About the ICC
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is headquartered in Dubai and was founded in 1909 as the Imperial Cricket Conference. Today, it oversees cricket globally and ensures the sport continues to grow.
Currently, the ICC is led by Jay Shah , an Indian administrator who serves as its chairman. Under his leadership, cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics marks a historic milestone for the sport, bringing it to an even bigger global stage.
This move is sure to inspire millions of young cricketers worldwide and further strengthen the game’s popularity across continents.