With reporting from News.com.au
Cricket will make its long-awaited return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028, but only a select few will get the chance to compete for gold.
For the first time since 1900, cricket will be part of the Olympic program, with organisers confirming that both men’s and women’s T20 tournaments will feature just six teams each. The sport has also been approved for inclusion at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Each team will be allowed a 15-player squad, with 90 athlete quotas per gender allocated for the event.
While qualification criteria for LA 2028 have not yet been finalised, the United States—as host nation—is expected to receive automatic entry, leaving just five spots for the remaining men’s teams to fight for. The same likely applies to the women’s tournament.
Australia, one of the world’s leading cricket nations, will be eyeing a rare chance at Olympic glory. The Australian men are currently ranked No.2 in the ICC T20 rankings, while the women’s side is firmly entrenched as world No.1.
With cricket excluded from the Commonwealth Games moving forward due to a downsized format, LA 2028 may be the only opportunity for Australia to add to the gold medal they won in Birmingham in 2022, where Meg Lanning led the team to victory.
The inclusion of cricket is part of a broader Olympic push for modern, globally relevant sports. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also approved baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash for LA 2028.
Despite the excitement, venues for cricket at the LA Games are still to be confirmed, and the full schedule will be released closer to the opening ceremony.
At the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, eight nations competed in the women’s cricket tournament. In contrast, the Asian Games saw 14 men’s teams and nine women’s teams participate—highlighting the demand and depth of international interest.
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