Is Cricket in The LA 2028 Olympics?

You heard that right! Cricket returns to the Olympics. The sport will return in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, after the last debut for cricket being in Paris 1900 Olympics. A moment for celebrating in the cricket world, after the long overdue recognition of the sports global reach, fast growing popularity and modern adaptability. But it’s also a moment layered with complexity, especially for the United States, the host nation, which may not even be guaranteed a spot on the field.

Including cricket in the LA28 is symbolic and strategic. The 2023 Cricket World Cup drew in millions of viewers world wife, and the Major League Cricket launching in the U.S packed stadiums, it becomes evident this was inevitable. T20 was chosen to fit neatly into the Olympic schedule to appeal to new audiences, broadening the horizon on viewer numbers for the future.

Cricket is one of the worlds most watched sports, yet it has been absent from the Olympic programme with little promotion, in comparison to football leagues despite the popularity. LA28 is a chance to change that, creating a new platform and igniting the next generation of cricketers in places like California, Texas, and New York, where cricket is already growing rapidly.

The only catch is despite being the host country, the USA team may not automatically qualify for either men’s or women’s cricket events at LA28. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Cricket Council (ICC) have not yet confirmed the qualification rules, but if they six-team slots are based purely on ICC rankings or World Cup finishes, the U.S may not make the cut. This highlights the questions surrounding accessibility, equity and the purpose of including cricket in the Olympics in the first place.

Mass participation and elite inspiration go hand in hand. If kids in the U.S. watch the Olympics and don’t see their own country represented in a sport they’re just beginning to explore, what message does that send? The Olympic Games are not just about medals. They’re about showcasing the power of sport to unite, inspire, and grow. Cricket’s inclusion should be a inspiration for grassroots development, should it really be exclusive to just the 5 best teams within the world?

Right now, cricket is on the rise in the U.S. in a way we haven’t seen before. Major League Cricket’s debut drew sold-out crowds, with players from across the globe joining homegrown talent. Youth cricket academies are thriving, local leagues are expanding, and more schools are starting to explore the game as a legitimate sporting option. According to USA Cricket, participation numbers are steadily climbing! The Olympic spotlight could be the spark that transforms cricket in America from a niche sport into a mainstream movement.

That’s why ensuring a U.S. presence at LA28 is about visibility. It’s about telling every young girl or boy who picks up a bat for the first time that there’s a future in this game, and that could take you all the way to the Olympics. Olympic inclusion is a massive opportunity for cricket coaches, clubs, and educators to inspire the next generation, but we need the right support systems in place. That means access to facilities, funding, coaching, and a seat at the table.

The Lionesses inspired a wave of girls to join football pitches across the UK. The same can be true for cricket in the U.S. if the pathway is clear and inclusive! Cricket has waited 128 years to return to the Olympic stage, so let’s hope LA28 brings the attention deserved for our cricket lovers!