Cricket Returns to LA Olympics 2028: What It Means for US Cricket
Primary sources used in this article:
What is confirmed as of the exact update date
As of July 2026, the IOC, LA28 and the ICC have all publicly confirmed the core framework for Olympic cricket in 2028. The format is T20, the venue is Pomona, and the team count is six per gender.
What is also confirmed is the broader window: the LA28 Games run from July 14 to July 30, 2028, and cricket is scheduled within that Games-wide calendar. We recommend treating any specific match-day or session times as preliminary until LA28 publishes the full sport-by-sport schedule.
Why it matters to US fans and players
We see real momentum at our Edison showroom because of stories like this. The last time cricket appeared at the Olympics was the 1900 Paris Games, so a 2028 return inside the United States is a once-in-a-generation visibility event for the sport.
For US players, the practical effects start now: more local leagues, more school interest, and a clearer path for parents and coaches to justify investing in proper gear. For fans, it means the global calendar of the sport visibly lands on home soil.
Quick buyer guide: what is worth buying now vs. later
| Buyer / use case | Best fit | Avoid when | Key verification | Relevant collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-time parent buying for a youth starter (ages 8–13) | Lightweight junior bat, basic pads, gloves, helmet | Buying senior-size gear "to grow into" | Check size chart on each product page; junior sizing is not standard across brands | Cricket Bats |
| Adult club player preparing for the 2027–2028 US season | English willow or grade 4+ bat, senior gloves, bat with proper grain | Buying a used bat with visible cracks or damage | Check the current product page for grade, weight and handle type | Cricket Equipment |
| School or college program coordinator buying in bulk | Bundle sets, training balls, softballs, cones | Mixing junior and senior sizes in the same order without sorting | Confirm sizing roster before ordering; verify in stock status on the day of order | Cricket Balls |
| New fan who wants to play casually this summer | Tennis ball cricket bat, soft balls, basic gloves | Spending on a leather-ball bat for casual play | Check current product page for indoor vs. outdoor use | Cricket Bats |
Ready to gear up? Browse our full cricket equipment collection, or read our related guide on cricket in the USA — 2026 leagues, clubs and where to get your gear.
Timeline and primary-source citations
The LA28 Games run from July 14 to July 30, 2028, with cricket hosted at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, per the LA28 organizing committee. The ICC has confirmed the T20 format and six teams per gender.
Milestones we are tracking
- IOC confirmation of cricket on the LA28 program — confirmed.
- LA28 announcement of Pomona as the cricket venue — confirmed.
- ICC confirmation of T20 format and team count — confirmed.
- Final match-day schedule, qualification pathway, and USA team status — not yet finalized as of this update.
Because schedule and qualification details can move, we re-check the LA28 site and the ICC site on every refresh of this article.
What may still change
Several items remain fluid and we will not speculate on them. The full match schedule (dates, sessions, broadcast windows) has not been published in the version we could verify. The full qualification pathway and final team list are still being finalized by the ICC and National Olympic Committees.
Squad announcements, ticket pricing, and any host-country automatic qualification rule are all subject to change. We recommend checking the IOC news page and USA Cricket directly before making plans tied to those specifics.
Practical next steps for US fans and players
If you are a new fan: pick one local league to follow this summer, and bookmark the ICC and USA Cricket sites for verified updates. If you are a player or parent: focus on gear that fits, not gear that impresses, and buy from a retailer that can answer sizing questions in person.
Three concrete US buyer scenarios
Scenario 1: The parent of an 11-year-old starter. The right move is a junior bat, junior pads, junior gloves, and a properly fitted helmet. We recommend a softball for practice at this age. We do not recommend a senior bat "to grow into"; weight and handle length matter at this stage.
Scenario 2: The adult club player targeting the 2027–2028 season. We recommend a grade that matches your budget (check current product pages for grade and grain), a pair of pads that allow a full guard fit, batting gloves with reinforced fingers, and at least one leather ball for match practice. Pricing and stock vary by model, so check the current product page.
Scenario 3: The school program coordinator. We recommend ordering training balls (soft or tennis), cones, a set of junior bats in a small range of sizes, and confirm sizing per student before placing the bulk order. We see programs overspend on gear in sizes they do not need — sort your roster first.
Common mistakes US buyers make
- Buying a senior-size bat for a youth player. Weight and reach both suffer; this is the single most common mistake we see at our Edison showroom.
- Spending on a leather-ball bat for casual park or beach play. It will not last. Check the current product page for "tennis ball" or "softball" labels.
- Skipping the helmet. Every batter, including adults, should wear one.
- Trusting unsourced schedule and "squad leak" posts on social media. Always cross-check with the ICC or LA28.
- Buying gear in the wrong unit. Junior and senior sizing are not standardized across brands; always check the size chart on the product page before ordering.
FAQ
Is cricket officially in the 2028 LA Olympics?
Yes. The IOC, LA28 and the ICC have confirmed cricket on the LA28 program in the T20 format, with six teams per gender and Pomona, California as the venue.
When and where will the 2028 Olympic cricket matches be played?
The LA28 Games run July 14–30, 2028. Cricket is scheduled at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, per LA28. Final match days and session times were not yet published in the version we verified.
How can the US cricket team qualify for the 2028 Olympics?
USA Cricket is the recognized federation and is working with the ICC on qualification. As of this update, the full pathway is not finalized. Check USA Cricket for current status.
What equipment does a beginner cricketer actually need?
A bat, pads, gloves, a helmet, an abdominal guard, and a ball appropriate to the format (softball for youth and casual play). Check each product page for size and stock.
Where can I see and buy cricket gear in person in the US?
Visit the TopCricketStore collection online or our Edison, NJ showroom. Pricing and stock vary by model and are shown on the current product page.
Related Guides
- Cricket in the USA 2026: Leagues, Clubs and Where to Get Your Gear
- Cricket Equipment Collection
- Cricket Bats
Read the latest verified update above, then browse our cricket equipment collection or contact the Edison, NJ store at 1-732-250-3598 for practical equipment help. We are happy to answer sizing and fit questions in person at our Edison showroom, or message us on WhatsApp for fast answers before you order.