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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed the dates for men’s and women’s T20 tournaments at the Los Angeles (LA) Olympics in 2028, marking a historic return for the sport after more than a century.

A Long-Awaited Comeback

You read that right. The last time cricket featured at the Olympics was way back in 1900, at the Paris Games. That one-off match saw Great Britain beat France to take home gold. Since then, cricket has grown into a global sport, and now, it’s finally back on the Olympic stage.

When and Where?

The T20 cricket tournaments will run from July 12 to July 29, 2028, at the Pomona Fairplex, a venue located around 50 kilometres from downtown Los Angeles.

  • Women’s final: July 20
  • Men’s final: July 29
  • Most matchdays will feature double-headers, with start times at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time.

Each tournament will have six teams, with 90 athletes per gender, allowing nations to field 15-player squads.

The group stage structure is a bit different from what fans are used to. Instead of a round-robin within each group, teams will play two sides from the opposite group, excluding the one that finished in the same corresponding position.

For example:

  • Group A winner plays Group B’s second- and third-placed teams
  • Group B winner does the same for Group A’s second and third

Every match will matter, as all results count toward final standings. The top two teams go head-to-head for the gold, while the third and fourth-placed sides fight for bronze.

Who’s Playing?

That’s still up in the air. The qualification pathway is yet to be finalised, but all eyes will be on the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore, which kicks off on July 17. One thing that’s likely? The ICC T20I team rankings could play a major role in deciding the participants.

There’s also a big question surrounding the USA’s qualification. As hosts, they might get a direct entry, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet. If they do, it could mean one less spot for other top cricketing nations.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.