ICC to Restructure Formats for LA28 Olympic Cricket

Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 summer Olympics Los Angeles Olympics (LA28) marks a historic milestone, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) forming a Working Group to finalize qualification pathways and format restructuring. With only six men’s and women’s teams allowed, the qualification model will be highlighted. Let’s take a look at ICC to Restructure Formats and Set LA28 Olympic Cricket Criteria.

What is Happening with Cricket at the Olympics?

The ICC’s Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) met in Singapore on July 18, 2025, to address cricket’s Olympic integration. A key decision was the formation of a Working Group, comprising CEC and ICC Board members, tasked with recommending a qualification method for LA28. The prevailing sentiment leans toward using ICC rankings to select the six participating teams, though some propose a qualifying tournament.

With tight deadlines and a packed Future Tours Programme (FTP) make a separate qualifier challenging, prompting the Working Group to explore every option, including setting a ranking cut-off date. Additionally, the ICC confirmed that the minimum age for international cricket remains 15, with provisions for exceptional cases. The group will also review potential restructuring of Test, ODI, and T20I formats, though a debated two-tier Test structure was not discussed at the CEC meeting.

How Will the Olympics Affect Cricket?

Cricket’s Olympic inclusion is poised to elevate its global profile, particularly in markets like the USA, where the sport is growing. However, the limited team slots could intensify competition, favoring top-ranked nations and potentially sidelining emerging teams. The Working Group’s decisions will shape qualification fairness and format evolution, balancing tradition with modern demands.

The Olympics also bring heat towards USA Cricket (USAC), with the ICC Board set to decide its fate amid reported resistance from USAC members. A normalized governance structure is critical as cricket aims to capitalize on the Olympic stage to attract new fans, sponsors, and players, potentially transforming the sport’s global landscape.

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Cricket in LA28: ICC to Finalize Qualification Pathway for Teams