The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has officially approved the qualification system for cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as reported by Olympics.com. This marks a historic return for the sport, which will make its first Olympic appearance in 128 years since the Paris 1900 Games.
Format and Quota Details
The LA28 cricket event will feature separate men's and women's T20 competitions, each with six teams. Every team can include up to 15 players, resulting in 90 athlete quota places for both the men's and women's tournaments. A total of 28 matches will be played across the two events.
Milestone in Qualification Process
This approval is part of the broader LA Games qualification process. Since December 2025, qualification systems for 49 sports and disciplines have been endorsed. Boxing and water polo received approval in May 2026. Athletics and football are the only sports awaiting confirmation, with announcements expected soon.
Surfing Qualification Revised
The IOC Executive Board also approved changes to the surfing qualification system for LA28. While the total athlete quota remains unchanged, the distribution of spots between events organized by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the World Surf League (WSL) has been revised. The changes aim to ensure top surfers qualify while providing fair opportunities for athletes from a wider range of countries.
Qualification Period and Principles
The qualification period for both sports remains from 2026 to 2028. The systems are designed to give athletes multiple chances to qualify, promote broad continental and global representation, reduce travel demands, and provide National Olympic Committees (NOCs), athletes, and support staff with more time and certainty to prepare.
Each International Federation (IF) sets its own qualification criteria and participation rules in line with the Olympic Charter. These systems must be submitted to the IOC Executive Board for approval. All LA28 qualification frameworks adhere to the Qualification System Principles (QSP) approved by the IOC Executive Board in March 2025.
