Pomona Fairgrounds to Host Cricket Matches During LA28 Olympics

Cricket will make its long-awaited return to the Olympic stage at a specially constructed temporary venue at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California, during the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the LA28 organizing committee announced on Tuesday.

Located around 50km east of downtown Los Angeles, the Fairgrounds—officially known as Fairplex—is a 500-acre site with a rich history, having hosted the Los Angeles County Fair since 1922.

The LA28 Olympics, scheduled from July 14 to 30, will mark cricket’s first appearance at the Games since 1900, when Great Britain faced France in a two-day match.

The cricket competition will feature six men's and six women's teams, with a total of 90 athlete slots allocated—15 players per squad. Details on qualification criteria and deadlines are yet to be confirmed.

“This venue announcement is a major milestone in our preparations for cricket’s Olympic comeback,” said ICC Chair Jay Shah. “Cricket is already one of the world’s most popular sports, and featuring in the Olympics—especially in the fast-paced T20 format—will help attract new fans across the globe.”

Temporary cricket stadiums have already been trialed in the U.S., most notably during the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, where a pop-up venue in New York hosted the high-profile India vs. Pakistan clash. Other games were held at established venues like Central Broward Stadium in Florida and Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas.

Cricket will be one of five new sports included at LA28, alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash.

Looking ahead, cricket is also expected to be part of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Plans are in place to stage the finals at the Gabba as a farewell to the iconic stadium before it undergoes demolition.

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