Cricket Set to Return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: Key Dates and Details

Cricket Schedule for the 2028 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has revealed the schedule for cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with matches kicking off on July 12. The medal events are slated for July 28 and 29.

The women's final is expected to take place on July 20, while the men's final will occur on July 29. Most days will feature doubleheader matches, starting at 9:00 AM for the first game and 6:30 PM for the second. This timing will also apply to the medal matches. Notably, there will be no cricket scheduled on July 14 and July 21.

All cricket matches will be hosted at Fairgrounds Stadium, located approximately 50 kilometers from Los Angeles.

Cricket Format and Qualification for LA 2028

While the IOC has yet to finalize the competition format, it is anticipated that the matches will be played in the T20 format. A total of 90 players will be permitted, with equal representation for both men's and women's teams, allowing for six teams of 15 players each.

According to the International Council, the top six teams in the ICC rankings will qualify for the Olympics. The teams are expected to be divided into two groups of three, with the top teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. As with other sports, gold and silver medals will be awarded to the winners and runners-up, respectively, along with a bronze medal match for third place.

This marks the return of cricket to the Olympics after a long absence of 128 years, the last occurrence being at the 1900 Paris Olympics. In addition to cricket, other sports such as baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash have also been included in the Olympic program.