After achieving great success in the Asian Games 2010, 2014, and 2023 and the Commonwealth Games 2022, cricket in Olympics will be making its grand return as the sport. Along with five more games, including squash, cricket will be played at the Los Angeles Olympics of 2028, as officially approved by the International Olympic Committee.
Cricket’s addition, which includes both men’s and women’s T20s, will mark the sport’s first appearance since 1900. This marks a significant time in history. The inclusion of cricket in Olympics showcases its global impact and fast-paced popularity.
International Olympic Committee Includes Cricket, Squash, 3 Other Games for LA Olympics 2028
Cricket will return to the Olympic fold at the LA 2028 Games after 128 years. And the venue hosting the sport in three years time will be the Fairgrounds in Pomona, South California, the organisers of the 2028 Games announced on Tuesday.
“We welcome the announcement of the venue for cricket at Los Angeles 2028 as it is a significant step towards the preparation for our sport’s return to the Olympics,” ICC Chairman Jay Shah said.
“Although cricket is a hugely popular sport, it will be a fantastic opportunity to expand traditional boundaries when it features in the Olympics in the fast-paced, exciting T20 format that should appeal to new audiences. On behalf of the ICC, I want to express my gratitude to LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for their support and look forward to collaborating with them and ICC Members in preparing for LA28 and making cricket a huge success there.”
How Virat Kohli’s Impact on Global Sports Led to Cricket in Olympics in a Historical Moment
Niccolo Campriani, president of the LA Local Organising Committee (LALOG) during his speech, spoke at length about the growing popularity of cricket in the United States. It’s no rocket science that the T20 World Cup, which was played across the USA and the West Indies, and the breakout inaugural season of the Major League Cricket served as a catalyst for this monumental decision.
But beyond the fact that cricket is beginning to find its feet in the US market in terms of public consumption, the Virat Kohli factor also played its role.
Kohli is a global ambassador of the sport. In May 2023, he became the first Indian to hit 250 million followers on Instagram. Worldwide, he is only behind football icons Cristiano Ronaldo (585 million and counting) and Lionel Messi (464 million) in terms of followers on Instagram. Kohli’s reach and superstardom are spread across the world, with Campriani acknowledging the same.
How Campriani Introduce Cricket & Virat Kholi
“We all recognize the critical importance of a strong digital presence in order to keep the games relevant for the youth. And cricket is offering a unique platform to do so. Think [about] my friend here Virat. He’s the third-most followed athlete in the world on social media with 314 million followers. That’s more than LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Tiger Woods combined. This is the ultimate win-win for LA 28,” Campriani said.
“The IOC and the cricket community as cricket will be showcased on a global stage to grow beyond the traditional cricket countries, while the Olympic movement gains access to previously untapped communities of athletes and fans. It’s a great example of how one can reach the other.”
T20 Cricket to be Added in LA Olympics 2028
Cricket in Olympics in LA 2028, will be played in the T20 format, with six teams competing in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Every team will be able to name a 15-member squad, as a total of 90 athlete quotas have been allocated for each gender.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) consists of 12 full members in Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Zimbabwe.
Expansion of Cricket Supported by Facts
Cricket has long captivated millions globally, especially in countries like India, England, and Australia. Now, the Cricket World Cup is playing a crucial role in making it a truly worldwide sport. By introducing cricket to new nations and launching innovative campaigns, the push to expand its reach is changing the game.
This effort aims to bring the excitement of cricket to more corners of the globe and build a larger, more diverse fanbase. While the World Cup is proving to be a key driver in this global transformation, many reasons are driving this sport to its globalisation.
Factors Helping Cricket Expand Its Global Footprint:
The Role of Cricket World Cup Held All Over the World
The beacon of cricket’s globalisation is led by the most prestigious tournament of cricket, the ICC World Cup. In recent years, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been proactively promoting the inclusion of more teams in the World Cup. Moreover, this leads to regional qualification rounds.
The regional pathways include countries like Africa, the Americas, Asia/East-Asia Pacific, and Europe.
On top of that, the unconventional venues – United Arab Emirates, USA, and the Caribbean has become a top spot for holding the ICC World Cups.
Use of Media and Marketing for Cricket’s Global Expansion
Strategic marketing and media are key to cricket’s global growth. Smart online campaigns reach younger fans. The ICC works with broadcasters and sponsors, using tech to make the World Cup accessible worldwide.
Live streaming on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, with commentary in many languages, makes it easier than ever to watch. Big stars from sports and entertainment promote the World Cup, raising awareness in new markets. For example, tie-ups with NBA players create interest in the US, helping cricket become a global conversation.
The sport’s global expansion can be seen in all of these developments. Thus, Cricket in Olympics 2028 speaks volumes of the fact that the ICC ensures that cricket’s growth is not merely a passing trend but a sustainable movement.