Cricket Returns to the Olympics at LA 2028 as Flag Football Makes Debut

After a 128-year hiatus, cricket will once again feature in the Olympic Games, marking a historic return at Los Angeles 2028. The International Olympic Committee has officially confirmed that both men’s and women’s T20 competitions will take place from July 12 to July 29, hosted at the Pomona Fairplex, a venue located approximately 50 kilometers from downtown LA.

Cricket’s only previous Olympic appearance dates back to Paris 1900, when Great Britain triumphed over France in a single match to claim gold. Now, the sport will have a more structured tournament format featuring six national teams per gender, with 90 athletes competing in each bracket. The games will mostly feature double-headers, with fixtures scheduled at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time, offering spectators both morning and evening sessions.

The qualification pathway for participating teams remains under discussion, with the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore expected to offer clarity. The return of cricket to the Games is viewed as a significant boost for the sport’s global ambitions, especially with the fast-paced T20 format being the chosen variant—ideal for the Olympics’ time-bound structure.

Alongside cricket’s revival, flag football is poised to make an impactful debut on the Olympic stage. The International Federation of American Football (IFAF), in collaboration with the NFL, has announced that the men’s and women’s medal games will be held during primetime slots on July 21 and 22 at BMO Stadium, located in the heart of Los Angeles.

Flag football, a non-contact version of American football, trades physical tackles for the removal of flags attached to players’ waists. Played on a smaller field and with fewer players per team, it emphasizes agility and strategy over brute strength. Notably, NFL players have been cleared to participate, further enhancing the event’s profile and spectator appeal.

As the LA 2028 Olympics draw nearer, both cricket and flag football promise to deliver unique, fast-paced entertainment, combining tradition with innovation.

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