LA 2028: Olympic Cricket to Debut with Early Tournament Start

LA 2028 Olympics: Cricket Matches Set for Early Starts to Capture Indian Viewers

Get ready for an early morning of cricket at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games! Organisers have scheduled matches to commence at 9:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time, a strategic move designed to maximize viewership and engagement with lucrative television audiences in India. This decision underscores the significant role South Asia plays in the resurgence of cricket on the Olympic stage after a 128-year absence.

Cricket’s inclusion in the Games was significantly driven by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) ambition to tap into the massive media rights and sponsorship opportunities present in the South Asian market. The fast-paced, six-team T20 format, featuring both men’s and women’s competitions, is set to kick off on Wednesday, July 12, two days prior to the official opening ceremony. All games will be played at a purpose-built venue at the Fairgrounds in Pomona.

Fans can expect a doubleheader each day in Pomona, with the first match starting at 9:00 AM PDT and the second at 6:30 PM PDT.For viewers in India, these times translate to 9:30 PM and 7:00 AM India Standard Time respectively, ensuring prime-time viewing for a substantial portion of the tournament. The evening fixtures will benefit from the illumination of floodlights, providing a dynamic atmosphere for the global sporting spectacle.

Kit McConnell, the IOC’s sports director who was instrumental in cricket’s return, highlighted that “core cricket markets in the subcontinent” were a primary consideration in the scheduling. He elaborated, “The vision the International Cricket Council (ICC) has outlined for us is aimed at providing the best players and the best teams on the Olympic stage.”

With three years still to go, the excitement is palpable. McConnell expressed optimism about cricket’s integration into the Games, noting that the Olympics offers a unique platform for the sport’s global expansion, while cricket, in turn, promises to bring a new dimension of fan engagement and commercial appeal to the Olympic movement.

What are the key benefits of starting the cricket tournament before the official LA 2028 Opening Ceremony?

The Return of Cricket to the Olympic Stage

After a 128-year absence, cricket is set to electrify the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This marks a important moment for the sport, expanding its global reach and introducing it to a new generation of fans. What’s notably noteworthy is the planned early start to the cricket tournament, preceding the official Opening Ceremony – a strategic move designed to build momentum and capture early audience attention.This decision reflects the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ambition to make a splash and establish cricket as a permanent fixture in the Olympic program.

Tournament Format & Participating Teams

The LA 2028 Olympic cricket competition will feature Twenty20 (T20) as the format, chosen for its fast-paced, exciting nature, perfectly suited for the Olympic environment.

here’s a breakdown of the expected format:

Men’s Tournament: Eight teams will compete.

Women’s Tournament: Eight teams will compete.

Qualification Pathways: Teams will qualify through a combination of ICC rankings, regional qualifiers, and potentially a final qualification tournament. The exact qualification criteria are still being finalized by the ICC.

Pool stage: Teams will be divided into groups for an initial round-robin stage.

Knockout Stages: following the pool stage, the top teams will advance to the semi-finals and ultimately the gold medal match.

Currently confirmed teams (as of July 2025) include the host nation,the USA,and several high-ranking ICC teams. Expect fierce competition from cricketing powerhouses like India, Australia, England, Pakistan, and the West Indies.

Why an Early Start? Strategic Advantages

The decision to begin the cricket tournament before the Opening Ceremony is a intentional strategy with several key benefits:

Increased Visibility: Starting early allows cricket to dominate the initial media cycle,capturing attention before other sports begin to compete for headlines.

Building Momentum: Generating excitement and buzz around cricket in the days leading up to the official Games opening.

Fan Engagement: Providing early opportunities for fans to engage with the sport, both in-person and through broadcast and digital platforms.

Showcasing the Sport: A longer period of coverage allows for a more thorough showcase of cricket’s unique appeal to a broader audience.

Logistical Considerations: Spreading out the event schedule and easing pressure on venue availability during peak Olympic times.

Venue Details: A Californian Cricket Hub

the cricket matches will be held at a temporary venue constructed at Great Park in Irvine, California. This location was selected for its suitability in terms of space, infrastructure, and accessibility.

Key features of the venue include:

Capacity: Approximately 12,000 spectators.

Multiple Pitches: The venue will feature multiple pitches to accommodate the tournament schedule.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: Modern facilities for players, officials, and media.

Legacy Planning: Plans are in place to repurpose the venue after the Games, potentially as a community cricket facility.

Impact on Cricket’s Global Growth

The inclusion of cricket in the LA 2028 Olympics is expected to have a transformative impact on the sport’s global growth, particularly in the United States.

Increased Participation: Exposure to a massive Olympic audience will likely inspire more people to take up the sport, especially in non-traditional cricket-playing nations.

Investment & Sponsorship: The olympic platform will attract increased investment and sponsorship opportunities for cricket.

Media Coverage: Significantly expanded media coverage will raise the profile of cricket worldwide.

USA Cricket Progress: The Games will provide a major boost to USA Cricket’s development programs, accelerating the growth of the sport in the country.

* Olympic Legacy: A successful Olympic debut could pave the way for cricket to become a permanent fixture in