After 128 years, Cricket is set to make its appearance for the second time in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. But, the shocking twist here is that the tournament would comprise only six teams for both men’s and women’s cricket, each scheduled to take place between July 12 and July 29.
However, the USA would secure a direct spot as the hosting nation, leaving only five slots left for the national teams to grab.
Here is everything you need to know about the LA28 format, teams, hosting venues, timings, number of cricketers allowed, and mode of qualification.
Format
The sport in the LA28 will be played in a Twenty20 (T20) format to ensure the dynamic, paced nature of the game. Six different teams will be competing for the gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Ultimately, the title decider clash (known as the medal matches) will be played on July 20 (for women’s cricket) and July 29 (for men’s cricket).
Six teams of both men’s and women’s cricket will be divided into two groups. Each group comprises 3 teams.
In the first round, teams will play against others within their group. To explain in other words, each team will play two matches in the group stages before proceeding to the subsequent rounds.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the next round, where they will face teams from the opposite groups that haven’t finished in the same rankings as their respective groups.
Ultimately, the top two teams will compete for the gold medal, whereas the teams that finished 3rd and 4th will clash with each other for the bronze medal.
Timings
Most of the days in the six-team tournament will feature double-header contests that start at 09 am and 06:30 pm (according to the local timings). As per the Indian Standard Time (IST), the cricket matches in the LA28 Olympics are likely to start at 09:30 pm IST and 07 am of the next day, respectively.
It is to be noted that none of the cricket matches in the Olympic calendar are scheduled between the 14th and 21st of July.
Number of Cricket Players Allowed in the LA28 Olympics
A total of 180 cricketers will participate in the event, with six teams of both men’s and women’s allowed to announce a 15-member squad. In simpler terms, upto 90 athletes are allowed to participate per gender contest (both men’s and women’s cricket).
Hosting Venue for the LA28 Olympics
To organize the cricket events in the LA 2028 Olympics, the Fairgrounds stadium has been named as the sole hosting venue. This 500-acre stadium is located approximately 45 to 50 kilometers from Los Angeles and is known for frequently hosting high-profile events, including the LA County Fair since 1922.
In other words, this venue has hosted various trade shows, concerts, sporting tournaments, and several others.
Mode of Qualification
Currently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively discussing with the national boards to develop a competitive and equitable qualification selection process. This ensures the best-performing sides make an appearance at the LA28 Olympics.
Possibly, the teams might be chosen based on the regional rankings, each from Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania.
Sports to be Played in the LA 2028 Olympics
Along with cricket, the International Olympic Committee approved four other sports, namely baseball, Lacrosse, Flag Football, and Squash.
When did Cricket make its Last Appearance in the Olympic Games?
The Summer Olympics in 1900 were indeed the last where cricket was played, which involved only two participating teams, where Great Britain triumphed over France by 158 runs in Vincennes to win the gold medal.
It was during the start of the 20th century, these two teams competed against each other in a two-day match comprising two innings per side that included 12 members in the main playing squad. However, the one-off match played in first-class tradition didn’t garner much attention at that time.
Is Team India Eligible to Participate in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028?
Currently, India is ranked in the No.1 spot in ICC Men’s T20 rankings and is certain to participate in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, only if they continue to retain their top spot in the forthcoming years.
Overall Opinion
Cricket continues to become a popular sport in the United States, especially after hosting the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 along with the West Indies.
Also, the Major League Cricket (MLC) has turned out to be the country’s most successful franchise T20 league since the inaugural season in 2023.
Moreover, the development of women’s cricket over the years includes their debut in the Commonwealth Games in 2022, as well as participating in Asian tournaments such as the Asia Cup alongside the men’s in 2010, 2014, and 2023.
Ultimately, a popular sport like cricket making its comeback into the Olympics after 128 years is a healthy sign of improvement in terms of global level expansion. Therefore, the entire cricket world is eager to celebrate the contest at one of the world’s biggest sporting events.