Cricket Returns to Olympics After 128 Years, Set to Feature Six Teams at LA 2028

Cricket is set to make a historic return to the Olympic Games after more than a century, with the sport confirmed to feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The announcement was made by the organisers on Wednesday, marking a significant moment for the global cricketing community.

A COMEBACK AFTER OVER A CENTURY

The last time cricket appeared in the Olympics was in the 1900 Paris Games, where a one-off two-day match between Great Britain and France was played. That match, now recognised as an unofficial Test, was the sport’s only Olympic appearance until now.

In 2028, cricket will return to the popular T20 format, with six teams participating in both men's and women's competitions. Each team will be allowed a 15-member squad, with a total of 90 athlete quotas allocated per gender.

QUALIFICATION DETAILS STILL AWAITED

While the final qualification criteria have not yet been announced, it is expected that the top five teams in the ICC rankings by a designated cut-off date will qualify. The United States, as the host nation, is likely to receive a direct entry, leaving only five slots up for grabs in each competition.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) currently comprises 12 full member nations: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Zimbabwe. In addition, there are 94 associate member countries, many of which could be in contention depending on the qualification format.

CRICKET AMONG FIVE NEW SPORTS FOR LA28

Cricket is one of five new sports approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for inclusion in the LA28 Games. The other sports making their debut or return include baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash. These additions aim to enhance the Games' appeal to a younger and more diverse audience, particularly in the host nation, the USA.

RECORD NUMBER OF MEDAL EVENTS AT LA 2028

The IOC Executive Board also confirmed the full event program and athlete quotas for LA 2028. The Games will feature a record 351 medal events — 22 more than Paris 2024 — while maintaining the overall athlete cap at 10,500. An additional 698 quota spots have been granted to accommodate the new sports.

PUSH FOR GENDER EQUALITY

For the first time in Olympic history, all team sports will have equal representation for men and women. In another significant development, boxing will achieve full gender parity with the inclusion of a seventh women’s weight category, matching the men's count.