Cricket at LA 2028 Olympics: The upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will see cricket making its return to the Games, with the tournament set to take place at a temporary stadium in Pomona, California, around an hour’s drive from the main athletes’ village. This marks a historic moment for cricket as it competes for the first time in the Olympics since Paris 1900.
Why Pomona Was Chosen for Cricket at LA 2028 Olympics
During the planning phase, the LA 2028 organizing committee explored multiple potential venues, including locations on the East Coast like New York, to appeal to the large Indian television audience. However, it was deemed essential to keep the cricket tournament within Los Angeles County to meet both financial and logistical needs. The organizers prioritized keeping the event close to the athletes’ village at the University of California, where top players could interact with other Olympians.
The Fairplex Stadium for Cricket at LA 2028 Olympics
The venue selected for the cricket competition is Fairplex in Pomona, also known as the Fairgrounds. This site has hosted the Los Angeles County Fair since 1922 and is a year-round venue for concerts, trade shows, and various cultural events. A specially built cricket stadium will be erected at Fairplex for the Games and disassembled after the event, similar to the venue used for the T20 World Cup in New York last year.
The existing grandstand at Fairplex, which was constructed in 1932 and seats 8,000 spectators, is set to undergo renovations, though it is still unclear if it will be included in the new stadium plans.
A Collaborative Effort for Cricket’s Olympic Debut
The decision to host cricket at LA 2028 followed discussions between the International Cricket Council (ICC), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the LA 2028 organizing committee. While the ICC had input, the final decision was made by the IOC and LA 2028 officials.
ICC Chair Jay Shah expressed excitement about the collaboration, noting the potential for cricket to attract new audiences with its fast-paced T20 format. He emphasized the significance of making cricket a major success at the Olympics, providing an opportunity to expand the sport’s global reach.
Concerns Over Temporary Venues
The use of temporary venues for cricket at the Olympics has raised concerns in the past. For example, during the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York, a 34,000-seat pop-up stadium was built, but the drop-in pitches faced heavy criticism for poor quality. The ICC will be closely monitoring the pitch conditions at Pomona to avoid similar issues.
Team GB’s Potential Participation
Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly in talks with Cricket Scotland about the possibility of fielding a Team GB side for the Olympic tournament. The ICC is set to decide the qualification process for the event, adding an exciting element to the competition as cricket returns to the Olympics after more than a century.
Cricket’s return to the Olympics is a significant milestone for the sport, offering a platform to reach new audiences and showcase its fast-paced, thrilling nature to a global audience at LA 2028.
