Cricket’s Olympic comeback takes big step as LA 2028 venue construction begins

Cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympic Games after 128 years took a major step forward as construction officially began on the venue for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Pomona, Los Angeles County. The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Fairplex Grounds, with Jay Shah, chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), leading the proceedings alongside other officials. Cricket last featured in the Olympics in 1900, making its inclusion at LA 2028 a historic revival for the sport on the world’s biggest multi-sport stage.

Speaking at the event, Jay Shah described the occasion as a landmark in cricket’s global journey.

“Our focus has been on expanding the footprint of cricket, and being part of the Olympic movement brings both pride and dreams with it, the groundbreaking marks an important milestone in cricket's return to the Olympics and is a proud moment for all ICC members and stakeholders worldwide,” he said.

Expanding Cricket’s Global Reach
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta emphasized the broader impact of cricket’s Olympic inclusion, calling it a turning point for the game’s global expansion.

“The momentum for our game has never been stronger, demonstrated by the recent ICC events which saw record-breaking stadia attendance as well as broadcast and digital engagement, coupled with deep cultural and socio-economic impact. Strong participation growth across the world and recent "fan-first" efforts by the ICC to grow key markets will further bolster cricket's march into the Olympics," he noted.

The ICC believes the Games will play a key role in attracting new audiences and inspiring young athletes worldwide to take up the sport. Cricket at LA 2028 will be played in the fast-paced T20 format, featuring competitions for both men’s and women’s teams. This format is expected to appeal to a global audience and fit seamlessly into the Olympic schedule.

The 2028 Summer Olympics, officially known as LA28, are scheduled to take place from 14 July to 30 July 2028 in Los Angeles, California. This will be the first time the Summer Games have been held in the United States since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the third time for Los Angeles (previously 1932 and 1984).