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Cricket will officially return to the Olympics after more than a century, and this time, it’s heading to Pomona. The city in eastern Los Angeles County has been named the host venue for the cricket competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the announcement during an event in Dubai on Tuesday.
Fairgrounds in Pomona to Welcome Global Talent
The matches will be played at the Pomona Fairgrounds, where both men’s and women’s T20 tournaments will take place. Six international teams are expected to compete in each category, bringing high-energy cricket action to Southern California.
ICC chairman Jay Shah expressed his enthusiasm in a statement: “We welcome the announcement of the venue for cricket at Los Angeles 2028 as it is a significant step towards the preparation for our sport’s return to the Olympics.”
Cricket ? West Coast.
Cricket will make its triumphant Olympic return in 2028 from the Fairgrounds in Pomona, CA. 128 years in the making, we can’t wait to see the cricketers out on the oval in SoCal.@ICC | #LA28 pic.twitter.com/gyKoMQeCD7
— LA28 (@LA28) April 15, 2025
He added, “Although cricket is a hugely popular sport, it will be a fantastic opportunity to expand traditional boundaries when it features in the Olympics in the fast-paced, exciting T20 format that should appeal to new audiences.”
A Historic Return After 128 Years
The last—and only—time cricket featured in the Olympics was back in 1900 during the Paris Games. Its inclusion in LA28 marks a landmark return for the sport.
The decision to bring cricket back was made during the 141st Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held in Mumbai in October 2023.
Cricket Joins a New Lineup of Sports at LA28
Cricket is part of a fresh wave of sports being introduced at the 2028 Games. It joins baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash as new additions to the Olympic program.
The T20 format, known for its fast pace and thrilling finishes, has already proven its appeal in other multi-sport events. It was featured in the Asian Games of 2010, 2014, and 2023. The women’s game also made a splash at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
With Pomona set to take the spotlight, LA28 is shaping up to be a unique celebration of both traditional and emerging sports on the Olympic stage.
