Cricket Returns to Olympics After 128 Years: Six Teams to Compete at Los Angeles 2028
In a landmark development for global sports, cricket is set to return to the Olympic Games after a staggering 128-year hiatus. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially included cricket as one of five new sports in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash
Cricket Confirmed for LA 2028
The IOC had approved the inclusion of cricket in 2023, marking a significant moment for the sport on the international stage. Cricket, last played at the Paris Olympics in 1900, will now be part of the world’s biggest sporting event once again. That historic match saw only two men’s teams — France and Great Britain — compete, with Great Britain clinching the gold. However, the sport was later dropped from the Games and remained absent for over a century.
Men’s and Women’s T20 Format Matches
The International Olympic Committee has now confirmed that six men’s and six women’s teams will participate in the LA 2028 Olympics. All matches will follow the T20 International format, making the games fast-paced and viewer-friendly. As with other Olympic sports, gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded to the top three teams in each category.
Powerhouse Nations in Contention
In the men’s competition, cricketing powerhouses such as India, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand are expected to dominate the field. Meanwhile, the women’s tournament is anticipated to be equally competitive, with teams from India, Australia, England, West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka likely to vie for qualification and Olympic glory.
A Historic Revival for Cricket
The reintroduction of cricket to the Olympics is seen as a major step in expanding the sport’s global footprint. With cricket's immense popularity in Asia, Oceania, and parts of Europe and Africa, its inclusion is expected to attract massive viewership and bring a fresh wave of excitement to the Games.
As the countdown to Los Angeles 2028 begins, fans across the globe can look forward to the thrill of sixes, fours, and nail-biting finishes—this time, on the grandest stage in sports.