Cricket and Surfing Qualification Systems Unveiled for LA 2028 Olympics

The qualification systems for cricket and surfing at the LA 2028 Olympics have been officially announced, marking cricket's return to the Games after 128 years. The cricket tournament will feature separate men's and women's T20 competitions, while surfing's qualification pathway has been updated to ensure fair opportunities for athletes globally. With 90 athlete quota spots available for cricket and a commitment to broad representation, these developments are pivotal for the upcoming Olympic Games. Read on for more details about the structure and guiding principles behind these qualification systems.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 29, 2026, 16:32 IST

Cricket's Return to the Olympics: Overview and Structure

The qualification framework for cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has been officially released following the endorsement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board, as reported by Olympics.com. Additionally, the IOC has made updates to the qualification process for surfing in preparation for the upcoming Games.

Cricket will make its Olympic comeback at LA28, marking its first participation in 128 years since the Paris 1900 Olympics. The competition will feature distinct men's and women's T20 tournaments, each comprising six teams. Each team is allowed a roster of up to 15 players, with a total of 90 athlete quota spots available for both tournaments. In total, 28 matches will be conducted across these events.

Recent Developments in Qualification Processes

This approval signifies a significant step in the qualification journey for the LA Games, with systems for 49 sports and disciplines having been validated since December 2025. Boxing and water polo were the latest sports to gain approval in May 2026, while athletics and football are the only remaining sports pending confirmation of their qualification systems, which are anticipated to be revealed shortly.

Revisions to Surfing Qualification System

The IOC Executive Board has also sanctioned modifications to the surfing qualification framework for the LA28 Olympics. Although the total number of athlete quota spots remains the same, the allocation of spots between events organized by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the World Surf League (WSL) has been adjusted. These changes aim to ensure that elite surfers qualify while also offering equitable opportunities for athletes from a broader range of nations. The qualification timeline will stay the same, spanning from 2026 to 2028, with updates to the sequence and priority of qualifying events before the final distribution of Olympic spots.

Principles Guiding LA28 Qualification

The qualification systems for LA28 are structured to provide athletes with multiple opportunities to qualify, encourage extensive continental and global representation, minimize travel burdens, and afford National Olympic Committees (NOCs), athletes, and their support teams ample time and clarity for preparation ahead of the Games.

Importantly, each International Federation (IF) is responsible for establishing the qualification standards and participation regulations for its respective sport at the Olympic Games, adhering to the Olympic Charter. These qualification frameworks must be presented to the IOC Executive Board for approval.

All qualification plans for LA28 have been developed in line with the Qualification System Principles (QSP) ratified by the IOC Executive Board in March 2025.