LA 2028 Olympics: Cricket Stadium Construction Begins in Pomona

Construction of a temporary, purpose-built cricket stadium has officially begun at the Fairplex Grounds in Pomona, Los Angeles County , marking a key milestone as cricket prepares for its Olympic return after 128 years at the LA 2028 Games .

A ground-breaking ceremony was held on Wednesday, signalling the start of development for the venue that will host all cricket matches during the Olympics. ICC chairman Jay Shah called it a “ major milestone ” for the sport as it continues its global expansion.

“These are very exciting times for cricket as it makes giant strides in establishing itself as a global sport,” Shah said. “Being part of the Olympic movement brings both pride and new dreams. We are confident this venue will take centre stage during the Games and leave a lasting legacy for cricket in the USA.”

Cricket last featured in the Olympics in Paris 1900 , where only Great Britain and France competed in a one-off match, later recognised as an unofficial Test. Great Britain won the gold medal, and since then the sport has not appeared on the Olympic stage.

At LA 2028 , cricket will return in a modern format featuring separate T20 International tournaments for men and women , with medals awarded in both categories. Each tournament will feature six teams , with a total athlete quota of 90 players per gender , allowing squads of 15 members each .

All matches will be held at the temporary stadium in Pomona , located around 50 kilometres from downtown Los Angeles , with the cricket competition scheduled from July 12 to July 29, 2028 .

The venue is designed as a purpose-built Olympic facility , expected to support high-quality international T20 cricket while also serving as a potential legacy ground for future use in the United States.

Ahead of the Olympics, the same venue will host three matches of Major League Cricket (MLC) from July 1 to 5 , featuring the Los Angeles Knight Riders , highlighting the growing footprint of professional cricket in the country.

The development is seen as a major step in expanding cricket’s reach beyond traditional strongholds, helping it connect with new audiences in the Americas and strengthening its global Olympic presence.