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LA28 Cricket Action to Start Early as Olympic Schedule Unfolds

Cricket Matches Set to Begin Before Official Opening Ceremony
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will see cricket make a historic return to the Games after 128 years, and the action is set to begin two days ahead of the official opening ceremony. As revealed by the LA28 organizing committee on July 14, the cricket competition will run from July 12 to 29, 2028, while the Olympics are officially scheduled from July 14 to 30.
Cricket will be one of several sports to commence before the official inauguration of the Games. Organizers have termed these early days as “Minus 2” (July 12) and “Minus 1” (July 13), setting the stage for a packed sports calendar in Los Angeles.
Match Structure and Medal Events
Two Phases of Cricketing Action
Cricket at LA28 will be played in two distinct phases:
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Phase 1: July 12 to 18
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Phase 2: July 22 to 28
The tournament will feature medal matches on:
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July 19: First medal match
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July 29: Final and gold medal match
The Games will conclude the next day on July 30. While the order of events has not yet been officially confirmed, it is expected that the men’s tournament will be played first, followed by the women’s matches.
In a statement, LA28 officials said, “The gender sequence for events in the 2028 Games is not yet available. As stated in today’s release, ‘A more detailed schedule with medal events and gender order will be released later this year.'”
Venue: Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium in Pomona
The cricket events will take place at the Fairgrounds Cricket Stadium in Pomona, located approximately 48 kilometers east of downtown Los Angeles. LA28 describes the venue as a top-tier, purpose-built stadium designed to showcase cricket at its finest.
“For nearly a century, this location has served as the home of the annual LA County Fair and hosts a variety of year-round events, including trade shows, conventions and sporting events. The sprawling grounds will serve as the backdrop for Cricket’s triumphant return to the Olympic Games—128 years in the making,” the LA28 statement emphasized.
Format and Team Participation
The cricket tournament will feature six teams each in the men’s and women’s competitions. The event is expected to follow the T20 format, though further details are awaited. This limited number of teams underscores the compact nature of Olympic events while ensuring a high level of competition.
Qualification Still Under Discussion
The International Cricket Council (ICC) will finalize the qualification process during its annual conference from July 17 to 20 in Singapore. While no official pathway has been confirmed, it is believed that ICC team rankings will play a key role in determining the six qualified teams.
Some sources have suggested the possibility of a qualifying tournament involving both Full Members and Associate nations. However, considering the already congested Future Tours Programme (FTP), the ICC is reportedly hesitant to schedule additional tournaments.