Cricket at LA28: ICC Welcomes Pomona Fairgrounds as Official Olympic Venue

Cricket Returns to the Olympics: ICC Hails Venue Announcement for LA28

Fairgrounds in Pomona Confirmed as Cricket's Olympic Stage

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially welcomed the announcement of Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California, as the designated venue for cricket at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28). This marks a historic moment for the sport, which will return to the Olympic stage after a 128-year hiatus its only previous appearance being in Paris 1900. The competition will feature six men’s and six women’s teams, battling it out in the ever-popular T20 format, making cricket’s long-awaited Olympic return as grand as its modern evolution.

The announcement has drawn global praise from cricket boards, players, and fans, as the sport gears up to embrace new audiences in a market it has long eyed: the United States.

A Long-Awaited Comeback: Cricket Reclaims Olympic Ground After 128 Years

To say cricket’s journey back into the Olympic fold has been slow is an understatement. The sport, which was last featured in the Olympics during the 1900 Games, has since grown to become one of the world’s most-followed sports especially in nations like India, England, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa. Now, with its inclusion in the LA28 program, cricket is set to reintroduce itself to the Olympic movement and global multi-sport audiences.

This comeback wasn’t sudden. It was officially confirmed at the IOC Session in Mumbai in October 2023, when the International Olympic Committee ratified the inclusion of cricket along with four other sports: baseball/softball, lacrosse (sixes), squash, and flag football.

Fairgrounds in Pomona: A Strategic Pick for Cricket’s Olympic Revival

The selection of Pomona Fairplex, a sprawling and flexible venue located just east of Los Angeles, is a well-considered move. The Fairgrounds have long been known for hosting large-scale events and are being adapted to support an international-standard cricket facility. While not a traditional cricket venue, the adaptability of T20 cricket, combined with modular stadium technology, makes it a fitting site.

This reflects the ICC’s strategy to bring cricket to non-traditional locations, thereby expanding its global reach a key goal behind the push to enter the Olympic fold.

ICC Chair Jay Shah, in his statement, called the announcement a “significant step” in cricket’s Olympic preparations and highlighted the format’s global appeal. “The T20 version is exciting, dynamic, and short enough to fit into the Olympic structure while retaining the essence of the sport,” Shah stated.

Why the T20 Format Makes Sense for the Olympics

Unlike its longer counterparts Test and ODI formats the T20 format fits seamlessly into the time-sensitive, fan-oriented environment of the Olympic Games. With each match lasting just under three hours, the T20 format aligns perfectly with the multi-event nature of the Olympics, where broadcasting windows and venue rotations are critical.

The format has already been proven effective in multi-sport events. Cricket was included in the Asian Games (2010, 2014, and 2023) and made a splash at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where women’s cricket was featured and drew considerable attention.

The shorter format also provides emerging cricket nations a better chance to compete, as it reduces the performance gap between experienced and new teams. This format levels the playing field and encourages global participation, aligning with the Olympics' core values.

Strategic Growth: Cricket Eyes the U.S. Market

The U.S. is a relatively untapped market for cricket, but interest is growing rapidly, especially among South Asian and Caribbean diaspora communities. The ICC’s long-term vision to develop cricket in North America aligns with this Olympic opportunity.

In fact, 2024 has already been a significant year for U.S. cricket, with USA and West Indies co-hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June. LA28 will further accelerate that momentum by putting cricket front and center on a platform that reaches billions worldwide.

Fairgrounds in Pomona provides a blend of accessibility, event infrastructure, and visibility in one of the largest sports and entertainment markets in the world. This choice is likely to offer unmatched exposure and pave the way for a lasting cricket footprint in the United States.

What This Means for Cricket’s Global Ambitions

The inclusion of cricket in LA28 is more than a sporting milestone; it is a strategic move to globalize the sport beyond its current heartlands. For associate and emerging nations, the Olympic Games represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase talent, attract sponsorship, and secure funding from national Olympic committees.

The impact on women’s cricket, in particular, could be profound. With the global success of the Women’s T20 World Cup and events like the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India, LA28 will provide an equal platform for women’s teams to display their skills to the world.

The Road Ahead to LA28: Preparation Begins Now

With the venue confirmed and the excitement building, the focus will now shift to qualification formats, event planning, and team preparations. The ICC is expected to announce a structured qualification pathway by early 2026, outlining how both full-member and associate nations can secure a place at the Olympics.

Infrastructure development at Fairgrounds in Pomona will also be closely watched, with pitch conditions, spectator arrangements, and logistics to be tailored for global standards.

Expect partnerships with USA Cricket, commercial stakeholders, and possibly even tech giants to fuel innovation and drive engagement around the event.