Olympic 2028 Cricket: Matches to Be Held in New York, Not Los Angeles
The upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will include cricket for the first time, a sport beloved worldwide but previously absent from the Olympic roster. However, recent reports indicate that cricket matches may not take place in Los Angeles itself but rather in New York.
The decision to potentially host cricket in New York is largely driven by logistical considerations and the need to cater to a South Asian audience, which the International Olympic Committee aims to attract. Casey Wasserman, president of the 2028 Los Angeles Games organizing committee, noted that the scheduling of matches would consider the viewing times for Indian audiences. With New York being 9.5 hours ahead of India and Los Angeles 12.5 hours behind, this arrangement could enhance viewership.
New York has recently demonstrated its capacity to host cricket, having successfully conducted the 2024 T20 World Cup in a temporary stadium with drop-in pitches located in Nassau County. The Marine Park in Brooklyn is being discussed as a potential venue, leveraging its connection to MI New York’s home ground in Major League Cricket. There are also plans to construct a stadium with a capacity of 10,000, although it remains uncertain whether it will be completed before the Olympics begin.
While relocating matches to New York could solve several logistical challenges—such as the shortage of match organizers and support staff—it may still present difficulties. Each of the eight men’s and women’s teams is expected to comprise 15 players along with five support staff, totaling around 320 individuals for the tournaments. If cricket is played in New York, it may help alleviate some of these issues, ensuring a smoother execution of the events during the 2028 Olympics.
