Cricket has taken a significant step toward its long-awaited comeback to the Olympic Games after a gap of 128 years, with construction officially getting underway for the venue that will host the sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Pomona, within Los Angeles County. The groundbreaking event was held at the Fairplex Grounds, where ICC chairman Jay Shah led the proceedings alongside other senior officials. Cricket last appeared at the Olympics in 1900, so its return to the world’s biggest multi-sport platform at LA 2028 marks a landmark revival for the game.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jay Shah called the occasion a major milestone in cricket’s wider journey across the globe. He said the ICC’s efforts have consistently focused on growing the sport’s presence worldwide, and that being part of the Olympic movement carries both pride and fresh aspirations. Shah added that the groundbreaking itself represents an important marker in cricket’s return to the Olympics, a moment he described as special for ICC members and stakeholders around the world.
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta highlighted that the significance goes beyond a single tournament, pointing to the wider ripple effect of cricket’s Olympic inclusion. He said the momentum for the sport has never been stronger, citing the recent ICC events that delivered record crowd figures in stadiums as well as strong reach through television, broadcasting, and digital platforms. Gupta also underlined the game’s cultural and socio-economic influence, along with growing participation across different regions. He further noted that the ICC’s “fan-first” initiatives aimed at strengthening key markets are expected to add fuel to cricket’s march toward Olympic competition.
The ICC also believes that the Games will help draw in new audiences and motivate young athletes worldwide to take up the sport. Cricket at LA 2028 will be staged in the T20 format, a fast-moving style of play that is expected to resonate with viewers across the world. Competitions will be held for both men’s and women’s teams, aligning the tournament with the structure of the Olympic programme.
The 2028 Summer Olympics—officially branded as LA28—are scheduled to run from 14 July to 30 July 2028 in Los Angeles, California. It will be the first time the Summer Games have been hosted in the United States since the 1996 Atlanta edition, and it will mark the third occasion for Los Angeles overall, following earlier Games in 1932 and 1984.
