Cricket will make a historic comeback at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with matches scheduled to begin at 9am local time to accommodate prime viewing hours for audiences in South Asia. This marks the sport's return to the Games after a 128-year absence, driven by the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) aim to tap into the lucrative media and sponsorship markets of the region.
The six-team T20 tournament, featuring both men’s and women’s teams, will kick off on July 12, 2028, two days before the official opening ceremony. All matches will be held at a newly constructed venue at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, located 30 miles from the athletes' village in Los Angeles. Daily fixtures will include two games, at 9am and 6:30pm Pacific Daylight Time, with the latter played under floodlights. These timings align with prime viewing slots in India, where matches will air at 9:30pm and 7:00am India Standard Time.
Kit McConnell, the IOC’s sports director who played a key role in cricket’s Olympic return, emphasized the importance of catering to core cricket markets. "The vision outlined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) is to showcase the best players and teams on the Olympic stage," McConnell told BBC Sport. "We’re excited about what cricket will bring to the Games and how the Olympics can boost cricket’s global expansion."
The tournament structure has been finalized, with the six teams divided into two groups of three. Each team will play against the others in their group, followed by matches against two teams from the opposing group. Final rankings will determine the medal matches, with the top two teams competing for gold and silver, and the third and fourth-placed teams vying for bronze. The women’s and men’s tournaments will run in separate slots, with medal matches scheduled for July 20 and 29.
Qualification for the tournament remains under discussion, with some ICC members advocating for T20 rankings to determine participation, while others prefer qualifying tournaments. Meanwhile, cricket boards in England and Wales are in talks to form a unified GB Cricket team for the event.
Organizers have also assured there will be no repeat of the pitch issues that marred the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York. Unlike the temporary venue used in New York, the Pomona facility will remain a permanent cricket ground, with plans to install a traditional pitch rather than drop-in surfaces. "We’re very conscious of the importance of the pitch," McConnell added. "With the venue finalized, we can now focus on ensuring the best possible playing conditions."
Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics is set to be a landmark moment for the sport, offering a platform for global growth and showcasing its appeal to new audiences.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment
Be the first to comment on this article!