Cricket is officially making its long-awaited Olympic return at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, and it will be showcased in the dynamic and fast-paced T20 format. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that six teams per gender will compete for gold, delivering a high-stakes tournament that’s bound to attract global attention.

Each Cricket Team Will Feature a Full Squad of 15 Players as the IOC Confirms Athlete Quota

To ensure full team representation, the IOC has allocated 90 athlete slots for both the men’s and women’s cricket tournaments. This allows each participating nation to assemble a complete squad of 15 players, ensuring the teams are balanced, competitive, and prepared for the intense format of T20 cricket on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

Qualification Process Yet to Be Finalised, But Cricket’s Global Powerhouses Expected to Drive Interest

While the official qualification pathway for LA 2028 has not yet been unveiled, insiders suggest that a major goal of the organizers is to capitalize on cricket’s massive following in India. With India being reigning T20 World Cup champions, their presence is expected to significantly boost global viewership and commercial opportunities for the Olympics.

India's Global Cricket Influence Seen as Key to Boosting Olympic Engagement and Sponsorship Potential

India's massive cricket fanbase and its dominance in the T20 format offer the IOC a golden chance to tap into new markets. The country was a major drawcard during the 2024 T20 World Cup, which the United States co-hosted, demonstrating the potential cricket has to generate both fan engagement and commercial sponsorship at the Olympics.

High-Level Discussions Took Place Between IOC and ICC Prior to the Inclusion of Cricket in LA 2028

The decision to include cricket at LA 2028 was the result of strategic dialogue between senior officials. IOC president Kirsty Coventry is reported to have held discussions with ICC chairman Jay Shah during the recent Champions Trophy in Dubai, where the sport’s Olympic future was a key topic of conversation.

Cricket’s Only Previous Olympic Appearance Was in 1900, Now the Sport Returns to Rewrite History

Cricket has been absent from the Olympic stage for over a century, with its only previous appearance dating back to the Paris 1900 Olympics. In that historic match, Great Britain defeated France by 158 runs in a one-off contest, after Belgium and the Netherlands withdrew. Now, 128 years later, the sport is set to make a dramatic return.

Talks Underway for a Possible Team GB Entry in Olympic Cricket Featuring England, Wales, and Scotland

In preparation for LA 2028, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reportedly begun preliminary discussions with Cricket Scotland regarding the possibility of forming a unified Team GB side. This collaborative effort could see a British team competing under one banner for the first time in Olympic cricket history.