Cricket at the 2028 Olympics will feature six teams each in the men’s and women’s T20 tournaments, qualified through a continental qualification system. The IOC Executive Board officially approved the cricket qualification system for LA28 in June 2026.
This marks cricket’s return to the Olympic stage after a 128-year absence, with matches running from July 12 to 29, 2028 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California.
This article covers every confirmed detail about the Olympics cricket teams, including the qualification pathway, expected teams for both men’s and women’s events, tournament format, venue, and the unique eligibility challenges teams like the West Indies and Great Britain face.
How Many Teams Will Play Cricket at the 2028 Olympics?
The IOC confirmed in April 2025 that six teams per gender will compete in the T20 cricket tournaments at LA 2028. That means a total of 12 teams across men’s and women’s events, with 28 matches scheduled over approximately two and a half weeks.
Each team gets a 15-player squad, drawn from the 90 athlete quotas allocated per gender. So the Olympics will feature 180 cricketers in total, competing for gold, silver, and bronze medals in both categories.
Olympics Cricket 2028: Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Format | T20 (Twenty20) |
| Men’s Teams | 6 |
| Women’s Teams | 6 |
| Total Matches | 28 (across both events) |
| Squad Size | 15 players per team |
| Dates | July 12 to 29, 2028 |
| Venue | Knight Riders Cricket Ground, Fairplex, Pomona |
| Women’s Medal Match | July 20, 2028 |
| Men’s Medal Match | July 29, 2028 |
| Qualification System | Continental (1 team per region + 1 global qualifier) |
For context, the previous time cricket appeared at the Olympics was at the 1900 Paris Games, where Great Britain beat France in a one-off two-day match. Organizers actually planned cricket for the 1896 Athens Olympics too, but cancelled it due to insufficient entries.
Olympics Cricket Qualification System: How Teams Qualify
The ICC’s qualification system for the 2028 Olympics abandons the original plan of simply picking the world’s top six ranked teams. Instead, it uses a continental qualification model that ensures global representation, aligning with the IOC’s ‘five ring’ principle.
ECB chairman Richard Thompson explained the rationale clearly: the IOC prefers teams from each continent to represent their region, rather than simply sending the best six teams globally. This means a side ranked second in the world could miss out if another team from the same continent ranks higher.
Continental Qualification Pathway
Five of the six spots go to the top-ranked team from each Olympic continent in the ICC T20I rankings at a predetermined cut-off date (expected to be after the 2026 T20 World Cup). Here is how the five continental slots break down:
| Region | Likely Men’s Qualifier | Likely Women’s Qualifier |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | India | India |
| Oceania (East Asia-Pacific) | Australia | Australia |
| Europe | Great Britain | Great Britain |
| Africa | South Africa | South Africa |
| Americas | USA (host nation) | TBC (host pathway pending) |
The rankings-based cut-off ensures each continent sends its strongest representative. However, the USA expects automatic qualification as the host nation, taking the Americas slot. Reports suggest this is particularly settled for the men’s event, while the women’s pathway may involve additional criteria.
The Global Qualifier: The 6th Spot
The sixth and final spot in each competition depends on a global qualifying tournament, likely to be held in 2027. The ICC proposes this event to feature eight teams that narrowly miss automatic qualification through their regions.
This is where things get fascinating. Teams like Pakistan (ranked among the world’s best T20I sides), New Zealand (reigning T20 World Cup champions on the women’s side), and Sri Lanka could all find themselves battling for that single remaining spot. Think of it as cricket’s version of a playoff wildcard, except the stakes involve Olympic history.
Women’s Qualification Pathway
The women’s qualification pathway largely depends on performance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, which may award up to four Olympic qualification places. The remaining spots follow the same continental framework, with the final place decided through an Olympic qualification event.
This is a significant boost for women’s cricket. Olympic inclusion brings funding, visibility, and legitimacy that could provide a once-in-a-generation lift to the women’s game, particularly in non-traditional cricket regions.
Expected Olympics Cricket Teams for LA 2028
Based on the continental qualification system and current ICC T20I rankings, here are the teams most likely to feature at the 2028 Olympics cricket tournament. Keep in mind that final squads won’t be confirmed until closer to the Games.
Men’s Expected Teams
| Qualification Route | Team | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Asia (Rankings) | India | Top-ranked Asian team in ICC Men’s T20I rankings |
| Oceania (Rankings) | Australia | Top-ranked Oceania team |
| Europe (Rankings) | Great Britain | ECB + Cricket Scotland forming new entity |
| Africa (Rankings) | South Africa | Top-ranked African team |
| Americas (Host) | USA | Expected automatic host nation qualification |
| Global Qualifier | TBC (2027) | Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka among contenders |
India enters as the clear Asian favourite, given their dominance in T20I cricket and their status as defending T20 World Cup champions. Australia, consistently ranked among the top T20I sides, has the Oceania region locked down. South Africa is comfortably the strongest African cricket nation, making their spot virtually guaranteed.
The most interesting battle will be for the global qualifier spot. Pakistan, despite being a top-five ranked T20I side, could miss automatic qualification because India takes the sole Asian slot. Similarly, New Zealand falls behind Australia in Oceania. Both would need to win the global qualifier to make the Olympics.
Women’s Expected Teams
| Qualification Route | Team | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Asia (Rankings/WT20WC) | India | Top-ranked Asian women’s team |
| Oceania (Rankings/WT20WC) | Australia | Dominant force in women’s T20I cricket |
| Europe (Rankings/WT20WC) | Great Britain | England women ranked 3rd in ICC T20I rankings |
| Africa (Rankings) | South Africa | Top-ranked African women’s team |
| Americas (Host) | USA | Host pathway pending; women’s team ranked outside top 20 |
| Global Qualifier | TBC (2027) | New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka among contenders |
The women’s event is where Olympic cricket could make its biggest impact. Australia’s women are the clear powerhouse, while India’s women continue rising rapidly. However, the USA women’s team being ranked outside the top 20 remains a concern. The ICC is working to resolve this before finalising the qualification pathway.
Key Issues Affecting Olympics Cricket Teams
Why the West Indies Cannot Compete at the Olympics
Here is the big complication: the West Indies cricket team cannot compete at the Olympics. The IOC only recognises National Olympic Committees (NOCs) representing a single sovereign state or territory. The West Indies, representing 15 different Caribbean nations and territories, does not meet this requirement
This is a major blow, considering the West Indies men won the T20 World Cup in both 2012 and 2016. To address this, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has proposed two solutions. First, an internal qualifying tournament among Caribbean nations, where the winning country represents the region. Second, a Caribbean pathway that feeds into the global qualifier.
The IOC has acknowledged this challenge. According to a recent report, a Caribbean pathway now exists, enabling a regional representative team to participate in the Olympic qualification event. Any places earned would be allocated to eligible individual nations through their respective NOCs
Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has even expressed interest in representing Jamaica in cricket if they qualify. At 41, he would certainly be the most famous cricketer to never have played professional cricket.
Great Britain Cricket: A Brand New Entity
In ICC tournaments like the T20 World Cup, England and Scotland compete as separate teams. However, at the Olympics, they must play under the Great Britain banner. The ECB and Cricket Scotland have initiated discussions to form GB Cricket, a new entity that would include players from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Cricket Scotland CEO Trudy Lindblade confirmed that the two boards are working together. GB Cricket needs official recognition from both the ICC and the British Olympic Association (BOA) before becoming eligible.
This opens an exciting possibility: talented Scottish players like Brandon McMullen or the Bryce sisters (Sarah and Kathryn) could join England’s stars under one flag. Funnily enough, Great Britain are technically the defending Olympic cricket champions, having won gold at the 1900 Paris Games. Talk about a long title defence.
Will India vs Pakistan Happen at the Olympics?
Short answer: almost certainly not. Since the continental system allows only one team per region, and India is the top-ranked Asian side, Pakistan would need to qualify through the global qualifier. Even then, with only six teams in the tournament, both India and Pakistan being present depends entirely on Pakistan winning that qualifier.
This is one of the biggest talking points around Olympic cricket. An India-Pakistan match at the Olympics would arguably generate the highest viewership of any event at the Games. The continental system prioritises global representation over marquee matchups, a trade-off that has sparked heated debate across the cricketing world.
USA as Host Nation: Eligibility Concerns
The United States expects automatic qualification as the host nation, particularly for the men’s event. However, there are legitimate eligibility concerns.
Many players on the USA men’s cricket team hold residency but have not yet become naturalized US citizens. While ICC rules allow this, Olympic regulations require athletes to hold citizenship of the country they represent. Multiple players expect to complete the citizenship process before 2028, but the situation remains fluid.
On the women’s side, the USA women’s team currently ranks outside the ICC’s top 20, raising questions about competitiveness. The ICC continues working to address this before finalising the qualification criteria.
Olympics Cricket Tournament Format
The LA 2028 Olympics cricket tournament will use the T20 format, the shortest and most fast-paced version of the game. Each match lasts approximately three hours, making it perfect for the Olympic schedule.
Group Stage and Knockout Structure
Both the men’s and women’s competitions will follow a two-phase structure:
Phase 1 (Group Stage): Six teams are split into two groups of three. Each team plays two matches.
Phase 2 (Cross-Group Matches): Teams play opponents from the opposite group who finished in a different position. Results from four matches build the final standings table.
Medal Matches: First and second in the final table contest the gold medal match. Third and fourth play for bronze.
This format ensures every team plays at least four matches, giving fans plenty of cricket action over the tournament’s 18-day window.
Match Schedule and Timings
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament Start | July 12, 2028 |
| Women’s Medal Match | July 20, 2028 |
| Men’s Medal Match | July 29, 2028 |
| Rest Days (No Cricket) | July 14 and July 21 |
| Morning Match Start | 9:00 AM PDT (9:30 PM IST) |
| Evening Match Start | 6:30 PM PDT (7:00 AM IST next day) |
| Format | Double-headers on most matchdays |
The ICC strategically designed the scheduling for a global audience. The 9:00 AM PDT start translates to 9:30 PM IST, hitting Indian prime-time viewing. The evening slot at 6:30 PM PDT lands at 7:00 AM IST the following morning, catching early risers in the subcontinent.
Women’s matches kick off the tournament, with the women’s gold medal match on July 20. The men’s competition follows, with its gold medal match closing the cricket programme on July 29.
Where Will Olympics Cricket Be Played?
All Olympics cricket matches take place at the Knight Riders Cricket Ground at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, approximately 50 km east of downtown Los Angeles.
The $21 million stadium comes from the Knight Riders Group, co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on April 26, 2026. The venue will serve as the home stadium for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket (MLC) and will expand to a capacity of 15,000 for the Olympics.
| Venue Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Knight Riders Cricket Ground |
| Location | Fairplex, Pomona, Los Angeles County, CA |
| Distance from Downtown LA | Approximately 50 km (30 miles) |
| Construction Cost | $21 million |
| Current Capacity | 5,000 |
| Olympics Capacity (2028) | 15,000 |
| Built By | Knight Riders Group |
| MLC Home Team | Los Angeles Knight Riders |
ICC Chairman Jay Shah called the groundbreaking a major milestone for cricket’s 2.5 billion fans worldwide. The venue will host its first MLC matches between July 1 and 5, 2026, giving it a two-year runway before the Olympics.
Cricket’s Olympic History: From 1900 to 2028
Cricket and the Olympics have a long and complicated relationship. Here is a quick timeline of how the sport went from a one-off curiosity to a full-fledged Olympic event:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1896 (Athens) | Organizers planned cricket as a medal sport but cancelled it due to lack of entries |
| 1900 (Paris) | One match played: Great Britain defeated France in a two-day game. The IOC retrospectively recognized it as an Olympic event in 1912 |
| 1998 | Men’s cricket at Commonwealth Games (Kuala Lumpur), 50-over format |
| 2010, 2014, 2023 | Both men’s and women’s T20 cricket at Asian Games |
| 2022 | Women’s T20 cricket at Commonwealth Games (Birmingham), 8 teams |
| October 2023 | IOC confirms cricket’s inclusion at LA 2028, voted in at 141st IOC Session in Mumbai |
| April 2025 | IOC Executive Board confirms six teams per gender, T20 format, 15-player squads |
| June 2026 | IOC Executive Board approves the cricket qualification system for LA28 |
| July 2028 | Cricket returns to the Olympics after 128 years |
The journey to Olympic inclusion was not smooth. For years, both the BCCI and the ECB opposed cricket’s Olympic participation. The BCCI reversed its stance in 2020, while the ECB dropped its opposition back in 2015. The turning point came in October 2023, when the IOC voted overwhelmingly to include cricket at LA28, with only two votes against.
What Olympic Cricket Means for the Sport’s Future
The 2028 Olympics is just the beginning. The ICC is optimistic about increasing team numbers at future Games. According to ECB chairman Richard Thompson, the hope is to see 8 to 10 teams at Brisbane 2032, and potentially 10 to 12 teams by 2036, especially if India hosts the 2036 Summer Games.
Olympic inclusion brings three major benefits to cricket:
Government Funding: Many countries tie sports funding to Olympic participation. Cricket boards in smaller nations will now have access to government sports budgets, accelerating development.
Global Visibility: The Olympics reaches audiences that cricket typically does not. Fans in the Americas, Europe, and East Asia will see T20 cricket on a platform they already watch, creating new fanbases.
Women’s Cricket Growth: Olympic inclusion provides the women’s game with a level of exposure and legitimacy that no ICC tournament can match. For countries where women’s cricket is underfunded, this is transformative.
Conclusion
Cricket at the LA 2028 Olympics is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated sporting events of the decade. With six teams per gender competing in the T20 format, the continental qualification system ensures global representation while the global qualifier adds genuine drama.
Whether it is India chasing gold, Great Britain defending a 128-year-old title, or a Caribbean underdog making history, Olympic cricket promises something for every fan.
FAQs
Six teams each in the men’s and women’s T20 competitions, totalling 12 teams across both events.
Based on current rankings and the continental system: India (Asia), Australia (Oceania), Great Britain (Europe), South Africa (Africa), and USA (Americas/host). A global qualifier in 2027 will determine the sixth spot.
Pakistan does not receive automatic qualification because India is the top-ranked Asian team. However, Pakistan can qualify through the global qualifier tournament scheduled for 2027.
The IOC only recognises teams representing a single sovereign nation. The West Indies is a multi-nation collective, so individual Caribbean countries (like Jamaica or Barbados) would need to qualify separately through a Caribbean pathway into the global qualifier.
At the Knight Riders Cricket Ground, located at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, about 50 km east of downtown Los Angeles.
T20 (Twenty20), the shortest format of international cricket, with each team facing a maximum of 20 overs per innings. Matches last approximately three hours.
July 12, 2028, two days before the official Olympic Opening Ceremony.