Cricket is going to make a comeback in the Olympic Games after a gap of 128 years. For this important event, a special temporary stadium will be built in Pomona city in Southern California, USA.
It was announced Tuesday by the LA 28 Olympics organizing committee that the competition venue will be the Fairplex, a 500-acre site that has been the site of the Los Angeles County Fair since 1922.
Cricket will be included in the Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles from July 14 to July 30, 2028 for the first time since 1900. At that time a two-day match was played between Great Britain and France. The currently proposed format is T20, which aims to attract a global audience through a more dynamic and attractive game.
Both men’s and women’s teams will feature six teams each at the LA28 Olympics. Cricket has been allotted a 90-athlete quota, with each team comprising 15 players. The qualification process and criteria are yet to be announced.
ICC President Jay Shah said on this occasion, “We welcome the announcement of the Olympic venue for cricket. This is an important step in preparations for the return of our sport to the Olympics. Cricket is already a very popular sport, but competing in the T20 format on the Olympic stage will provide a unique opportunity to reach new audiences.”
In addition to cricket, baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash are also included in the LA28 Olympics. It is anticipated that cricket will also be retained at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, where the cricket final is proposed to be held at the Gabba Stadium.
