It’s official—cricket is making a grand comeback at the Olympics, and LA is rolling out the red carpet! For the first time in 128 years, cricket will return to the Games, and it’s getting a glitzy, purpose-built stadium at the Pomona Fairgrounds in Southern California. Talk about a Hollywood-style homecoming!
The LA28 Organising Committee revealed that the temporary venue will rise inside the historic Fairplex—a sprawling 500-acre complex known for hosting the iconic LA County Fair since 1922 and countless concerts, expos, and sporting events. Now, it’s set to host six men’s and six women’s T20 teams from around the world in a fast-paced showdown that promises fireworks.
“We’ve promised the world an incredible Olympic Games, and this is how we’re delivering,” said LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover. “Every venue will be unforgettable, and cricket fans are in for something truly special.”
The excitement has been building since October 2023, when the IOC green-lit cricket’s return alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash. The T20 format—already a global favorite—will now go Olympic, with 90-player quotas per gender and up to 15 players per squad.
Jay Shah, Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC), called the venue announcement a major step forward. “Cricket’s Olympic debut in the T20 format is a game-changer,” he said. “It’s a chance to bring the sport to new audiences and showcase its thrill on the world’s biggest stage.”
Cricket fans can expect an adrenaline-packed tournament, though the exact match schedule will drop closer to 2028. With the global spotlight on Los Angeles and cricket finally back in the Olympic fold, the countdown is on—and it’s going to be electric.
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