ISLAMABAD: Cricket at the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 will be played in a temporary, purpose-built structure at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California, the organising committee announced on Tuesday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) welcomed the selection of Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California, as the official venue for cricket in the upcoming Olympic Games, Los Angeles 2028 (LA28).
The cricket tournament at LA28 will showcase a thrilling competition featuring six men’s and six women’s teams, marking the sport’s return to the Olympics after a staggering 128-year hiatus.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed his excitement over the venue announcement and looks forward to a fruitful partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ensure cricket shines at the Games.
Jay Shah stated, “The unveiling of the cricket venue for Los Angeles 2028 is a monumental stride in paving the way for our sport’s thrilling return to the Olympic stage.
“Given cricket’s immense global popularity, this event presents a fantastic opportunity to break new ground, particularly with the electrifying T20 format that is sure to captivate fresh audiences.”
On behalf of the ICC, Shah conveyed his gratitude to LA28 and the IOC for their unwavering support and expressed anticipation for collaborating with them and ICC Members to ensure cricket thrives at LA28.
Cricket previously made its Olympic debut at the Paris Games in 1900 and has now been reinstated in the Los Angeles Olympics following an IOC assembly in Mumbai in October 2023.
Joining five new sports—baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash—cricket’s inclusion signifies a significant enhancement for LA28.
Recognised by the ICC as a pivotal driver for the sport’s growth, the T20 format has also been prominently featured in various multi-sport events recently, including men’s and women’s T20 competitions at the Asian Games in 2010, 2014, and 2023, as well as a women’s tournament at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
