Cricket is back at the Olympics. The LA28 Games in Los Angeles brings T20 cricket back to the Olympic stage for the first time since Paris 1900 six men’s teams and six women’s teams, 28 matches, gold medals in July 2028. Four women’s teams have already qualified through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Men’s spots are still open. Here is the complete guide to Cricket LA28 Olympics: qualification, format, schedule and every team involved.
| Tournament | LA28 Olympic Games |
| Sport | T20 Cricket (Men and Women) |
| Teams per event | 6 |
| Squad size | 15 players |
| Venue | Pomona, Los Angeles |
| Women’s gold medal | July 20, 2028 |
| Men’s gold medal | July 29, 2028 |
| Total matches | 28 |
Four of the six women’s spots were allocated through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, one per continent. The highest-placed eligible nation from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania each earned automatic qualification for the Olympic cricket tournament.
| Team | Continent | How Qualified |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Oceania | ICC WT20WC 2026 |
| India | Asia | ICC WT20WC 2026 |
| Great Britain (England) | Europe | ICC WT20WC 2026 |
| South Africa | Africa | ICC WT20WC 2026 |
Two spots remain. USA qualify as hosts if they rank inside the top 15 of the ICC Women’s T20I rankings between June 30 and December 31, 2026. The final spot goes to the ICC Olympics Qualifier 2027 winner.
No men’s team has qualified for Olympic cricket at LA28 yet. Four spots go to the highest-ranked eligible nation from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings as of December 31, 2026. USA qualify as hosts under the same top-15 rule. The sixth and final spot goes to the ICC Olympics Qualifier 2027 winner. Pakistan, India and other major Asian sides are competing for the Asia continental spot through their T20I ranking position.
Olympic cricket at LA28 uses a round-robin group stage followed by a cross-group second phase. Six teams split into two groups of three, each playing the other two in their group once. In the second phase, teams play the two sides from the opposite group who finished in a different position. The top two in the overall standings meet in the gold medal match. Third and fourth play for bronze. It is a compact, high-stakes T20 format designed to suit the Olympic schedule.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 12 | Preliminary Round 1 (2 matches) |
| July 13 | Preliminary Round 1 (2 matches) |
| July 15 | Preliminary Round 1 (2 matches) |
| July 16–19 | Preliminary Round 2 (6 matches) |
| July 20 | Bronze medal + Gold medal match |
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 22–24 | Preliminary Round 1 (6 matches) |
| July 25–27 | Preliminary Round 2 (6 matches) |
| July 28 | Bronze medal match |
| July 29 | Gold medal match |
Yes. Cricket returns to the Olympics at LA28 in Los Angeles in 2028 the sport’s first appearance at the Games since Paris 1900, a gap of 128 years. Both men’s and women’s T20 tournaments will be played at a purpose-built venue in Pomona, California.
Cricket at LA28 is T20 format. Six teams per gender split into two groups of three, play a group stage followed by a cross-group second phase. The top two teams meet in the gold medal match and third plays fourth for bronze. Total of 28 matches across both tournaments.
Four women’s teams have qualified Australia, India, Great Britain and South Africa all through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. No men’s teams have qualified yet. The ICC Men’s T20I ranking window closes December 31, 2026.
Not yet. Pakistan can qualify if they finish as the highest-ranked eligible Asian team in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings by December 31, 2026. One final spot is also available through the ICC Olympics Qualifier in 2027. Follow the Pakistan cricket team page for the latest updates on their qualification chances.
Olympic cricket at LA28 is played at a purpose-built venue in Pomona, Los Angeles. Women’s gold medal match: July 20, 2028. Men’s gold medal match: July 29, 2028.
