The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally identified the host nations for the upcoming qualifying tournaments required for the men's and women's cricket competitions at the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympic Games. Bangladesh and the United States of America have been selected to stage these critical qualification events, marking a pivotal step in the sport's return to the Olympic stage after a long absence.
Alongside the announcement regarding the Olympic qualifiers, the global governing body has successfully finalised the scheduling windows for all major ICC men's tournaments scheduled to take place between now and the conclusion of 2035. This long-term framework is designed to provide clarity for cricket boards, broadcasters, and fans alike as the sport navigates its most extensive expansion phase in modern history.
The inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles Games reflects the sport's growing global reach and its objective to capture new markets, particularly in North America. By utilising the USA as a host for the qualifiers, the ICC aims to capitalise on the momentum generated by the recent hosting of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which saw matches played in various American cities.
For Bangladesh, hosting these qualifiers underscores the nation’s status as a central hub for international cricket. The governing body's decision to divide the hosting responsibilities between the two nations aims to streamline the competitive path to Los Angeles while ensuring that local fan bases in both regions have direct engagement with the high-stakes Olympic qualification process.
The finalised roadmap for tournaments leading up to 2035 serves as the blueprint for the sport's financial and logistical operations. Officials noted that this structured approach allows for better planning regarding infrastructure, player workload management, and commercial partnerships, ensuring that the Olympic transition remains the focal point of the ICC's long-term strategy.
Key facts
- Bangladesh and the USA are confirmed hosts for the LA28 cricket qualifying tournaments.
- The ICC has established a tournament calendar extending through the year 2035.
- Cricket's Olympic return marks the first time the sport will feature in the Games since 1900.
- The qualifying windows are part of a broader ICC strategy for global expansion.
Why it matters
The selection of these host nations is expected to bolster the popularity of cricket in the American market, which remains a primary growth target for the ICC. Furthermore, the commitment to a fixed tournament schedule until 2035 provides the necessary stability for international teams to plan their cycles, ensuring that member nations can allocate resources and developmental talent to meet the high standards required for Olympic-level competition.
Source: ESPNcricinfo
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