Cricket at the 2028 Summer Olympics
{{short description|International cricket tournament}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox Olympic event
|event = Cricket
|games = 2028 Summer
|image = Cricket pictogram.svg
|image_size = 100px
|caption =
|venue = Fairplex, Pomona, Southern California
|date = July
|competitors =
|nations = 6
|longnames = yes
|goldNOC =
|gold =
|silverNOC =
|silver =
|bronze =
|bronzeNOC =
|prev = 1900
|next = 2032
}}
{{International cricket competitions sidebar}}
Cricket will be reintroduced at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, United States. It will be the second time that cricket has been played at the games. It was last played during the Summer Olympics in 1900. It will be a T20 format tournament with men's and women's teams competing.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/67120460 |title=2028 Los Angeles Olympics: Cricket's inclusion voted through by IOC members |work=BBC Sport |date=2023-10-16 |accessdate=2024-06-25 |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625190505/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/67120460 |url-status=live }}
Background
Cricket has had a history in the early Olympics. In the first modern Olympics in 1896 in Athens it was planned that cricket would be played as a medal sport but due to a lack of entries, the planned event did not occur.{{Cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-ignorant-olympians-134962 |title=The Ignorant Olympians |work=ESPN |accessdate=2024-06-25 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025160618/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-ignorant-olympians-134962 |url-status=live }} In 1900 in Paris, four teams entered: Great Britain (listed as England in posters advertising it and represented by Devon & Somerset Wanderers), France, Belgium and the Netherlands. However, only one match was played between Great Britain and France, with Great Britain winning the two-day match. The players did not realize this was an Olympic event until it was retrospectively recognized as one in 1912. Cricket was scheduled for the 1904 Games but was cancelled shortly before the start of the Gameshttps://www.loc.gov/resource/sn84020274/1904-05-15/ed-1/?sp=32&q=cricket+olympic&r=0.534,0.566,0.328,0.208,0 and not considered for inclusion in the century following.
For many years, many of cricket's governing bodies, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), were long opposed to a return to the Olympics.{{cite web |last1=Kalra |first1=Gaurav |title=BCCI's opposition to Olympics cricket 'disappointing' |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bcci-s-opposition-olympics-cricket-disappointing-755009 |website=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=17 October 2023 |date=23 June 2014 |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813173532/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bcci-s-opposition-olympics-cricket-disappointing-755009 |url-status=live }} The ECB withdrew their opposition in 2015,{{cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Owen |title=ECB drops opposition to T20 cricket being in Olympics, says MCC |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jul/14/ecb-drop-opposition-t20-cricket-olympics-2024-mcc-world-cricket-committee |website=The Guardian |access-date=17 October 2023 |date=14 July 2015 |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813173534/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jul/14/ecb-drop-opposition-t20-cricket-olympics-2024-mcc-world-cricket-committee |url-status=live }} and in March 2017 it was reported that International Cricket Council chief Dave Richardson thought the "time is right" for Olympic cricket.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/25/cricket-on-verge-making-application-olympic-inclusion | title=Cricket is on the verge of making its application for Olympic inclusion | date=25 July 2017 | last=Wigmore | first=Tom | work=The Guardian | access-date=November 11, 2023 | archive-date=November 7, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107010119/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/25/cricket-on-verge-making-application-olympic-inclusion | url-status=live }} It was also reported that the opposition of the BCCI had softened.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/24/womens-world-cup-cricket-olympic-games-2024 | title=Women's World Cup success moves cricket closer to Olympic return in 2024 | date=24 July 2017 | last=Wigmore | first=Tom | work=The Guardian | access-date=November 11, 2023 | archive-date=November 6, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106210802/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/24/womens-world-cup-cricket-olympic-games-2024 | url-status=live }}
In October 2020, USA Cricket stated that it saw a proposed inclusion of cricket to the 2028 Summer Olympics program in Los Angeles as a long-term goal.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-16|title=USA Cricket plan to make country leading nation in the sport|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1099662/usa-cricket-plan-leading-nation-in-sport|access-date=2020-10-17|website=Inside the Games|archive-date=October 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022074847/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1099662/usa-cricket-plan-leading-nation-in-sport|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2020-10-16|title=USA Cricket targets ICC full member status by 2030|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/usa-cricket-icc-full-member-status-t20-league-la-2028-olympics|access-date=2020-10-17|website=SportsPro Media|archive-date=October 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026213751/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/usa-cricket-icc-full-member-status-t20-league-la-2028-olympics/|url-status=live}} In 2020, the BCCI in its Annual General Meeting decided to back the ICC's bid for inclusion of T20 cricket in 2028 after getting some clarifications from the International Olympic Committee.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tristanlavalette/2021/04/19/with-powerful-indias-support-cricket-moves-closer-to-2028-los-angeles-games-inclusion/?sh=4e0fe85b38ee|title=With Powerful India's Support, Cricket Moves Closer To 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Inclusion|work=Forbes|access-date=2021-07-28|archive-date=October 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022073319/https://www.forbes.com/sites/tristanlavalette/2021/04/19/with-powerful-indias-support-cricket-moves-closer-to-2028-los-angeles-games-inclusion/?sh=4e0fe85b38ee|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=24 December 2020|title=IPL 2022 teams: BBCI okays 10 team IPL from 2022, backs inclusion of cricket in the Olympics|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/bcci-okays-10-team-ipl-from-2022-backs-inclusion-of-cricket-in-the-olympics/articleshow/79940068.cms|access-date=2020-12-24|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=August 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813173543/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/bcci-okays-10-team-ipl-from-2022-backs-inclusion-of-cricket-in-the-olympics/articleshow/79940068.cms|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=BCCI Clears 10-Team IPL From 2022, Backs Cricket's Inclusion In Olympics {{!}} Cricket News|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/cricket-board-approves-10-team-indian-premier-league-from-2022-edition-2343071|access-date=2020-12-24|website=NDTVSports.com|language=en|archive-date=October 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022074810/https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/cricket-board-approves-10-team-indian-premier-league-from-2022-edition-2343071|url-status=live}} In August 2021, the ICC confirmed its plans to bid for the inclusion of cricket at the Olympics, starting with the 2028 and 2032 games.{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/2211545 |title=ICC confirms cricket's Olympic ambition |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=10 August 2021 |archive-date=September 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910051954/https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/2211545 |url-status=live }}
On October 9, 2023, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee announced that cricket was on the list of sports they wished to introduce.{{cite news |last1=Wharton |first1=David |title=L.A. names coveted five provisional sports it wants to add for 2028 Olympics |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2023-10-09/los-angeles-2028-olympics-provisional-sports |access-date=10 October 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111161447/https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2023-10-09/los-angeles-2028-olympics-provisional-sports |url-status=live }} On October 13, 2023, the IOC announced that the bid was accepted and placed under voting to finalize its inclusion in 2028 during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai between October 14 to 16, 2023. It was confirmed on October 16, 2023, that cricket, including both men's and women's T20 tournaments, would be featured in the 2028 Olympics as only two voted against inclusion.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=T20 cricket confirmed as one of five new sports at LA28 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/cricket-at-la28-cricket-confirmed-as-one-of-five-new-sports-at-la28-1403570 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en |archive-date=October 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023032901/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/cricket-at-la28-cricket-confirmed-as-one-of-five-new-sports-at-la28-1403570 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-13 |title=IOC accepts recommendation to include T20 cricket in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ioc-accepts-recommendation-to-include-t20-cricket-in-2028-los-angeles-olympics-1402864 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022075012/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ioc-accepts-recommendation-to-include-t20-cricket-in-2028-los-angeles-olympics-1402864 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Cricket officially confirmed for LA Olympics 2028 {{!}} Cricbuzz.com |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/128104/cricket-officially-confirmed-for-la-olympics-2028-cricbuzzcom |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Cricbuzz |date=16 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027000128/https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/128104/cricket-officially-confirmed-for-la-olympics-2028-cricbuzzcom |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Cricket going for gold as Olympic Games inclusion confirmed for 2028 |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/3738863 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.icc-cricket.com |language=en |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026234948/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/3738863 |url-status=live }}
Later that month, it was announced that cricket will be played at a temporary venue at the Fairplex in Pomona, California.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2025-04-15/dodger-stadium-2028-los-angeles-olympic-venues |title=LA28 announces Dodger Stadium among new 2028 Olympic venues, lineup nearly complete |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 15, 2025}} Organizers had considered holding the event in the Eastern United States in order to allow more favorable scheduling of matches for prime time viewership in India, but it was decided to keep the event within Los Angeles County so that players would be able to stay at the Olympic Village.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-15 |title=LA 2028: Olympic cricket tournament will be played in a California fairground as New York overlooked |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/ceqryqrg7djo |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} A temporary stadium known as the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium had been used to host part of the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup in the New York City area, given the lack of cricket-specific facilities in the country.
Format
In April 2025 it was confirmed by the IOC that both the men's and women's competitions would be in the Twenty20 format and made up of six teams each. Each nation will have 15 players in their squad after cricket was allocated 90 athletes per gender for the event.{{cite news |last1=Abraham |first1=Timothy |title=LA 2028: IOC says cricket's Olympic return will be as six-team T20 tournament for men and women |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cvg9dl0vnp7o |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 April 2025}} A number of elite national cricket teams do not organise within standard IOC recognised jurisdictions; of the twelve full member teams three, England, Ireland and the West Indies, do not correspond directly to National Olympic Committees, although the Olympic Federation of Ireland has experience in orgainising all-island teams for the Olympic Games in both field hockey and rugby sevens. In April 2025, Cricket Scotland (a high-ranked associate nation) and the England and Wales Cricket Board announced discussions were underway to create a Great Britain Olympic cricket team for the Games, having been the gold medalists in the only previous Olympic cricket competition.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title=LA 2028: Great Britain could have cricket team at Olympics in Los Angeles |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c0jzdqqjejwo |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}.
Medalists
{{MedalistTable|type=Event}} |
Men's team {{DetailsLink|Cricket at the 2028 Summer Olympics – Men's team}} | | | |
Women's team {{DetailsLink|Cricket at the 2028 Summer Olympics – Women's team}} | | | |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Events at the 2028 Summer Olympics}}
{{Cricket at the Summer Olympics}}
{{Cricket at multi-sport events}}