Where the LA28 Cricket Stadium Is Being Built: Olympics Venue Details and Project Explained

Construction of the cricket stadium set to host matches at the LA28 Olympics has officially begun in Pomona, California, marking a major step toward the sport's historic return to the Olympic Games after more than a century. The groundbreaking ceremony at Fairplex Grounds signals the start of a project that could reshape cricket's footprint in the United States and expand its reach into new global markets.

The stadium will serve as the centerpiece for cricket's Olympic comeback at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, where the sport will feature for the first time since its lone Olympic appearance in 1900.

Where the LA28 cricket stadium is being built

The new venue is being constructed at the Fairplex Grounds in Pomona, located in Los Angeles County, California. The location has been strategically chosen to support both Olympic competition and long-term cricket development in the region.

The groundbreaking ceremony drew several key stakeholders from international sport and local administration, including officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC), representatives of the LA28 organizing committee and city leadership.

ICC chairman Jay Shah described the project as a landmark moment for cricket's global expansion, noting that the sport's Olympic inclusion represents a major milestone for its estimated 2.5 billion fans worldwide.

Why the LA28 stadium is significant for global cricket

The construction of a dedicated cricket venue in Los Angeles represents more than just infrastructure development-it reflects the sport's push into emerging markets, particularly in North America.

ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta emphasized that cricket's Olympic return marks the beginning of a new phase of global growth, driven by increased visibility, improved accessibility and stronger institutional backing. The inclusion of cricket in multi-sport events such as the Olympics is widely seen as a catalyst for funding, grassroots participation and broader audience engagement.

For many administrators, the LA28 project is expected to create a lasting legacy in the United States, a market that has seen growing interest in cricket through domestic leagues and international tournaments.

LA28 Cricket return after 128 years

Cricket will feature at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics from July 14 to July 30, ending a 128-year absence from the Olympic stage. The sport's only previous appearance came at the 1900 Paris Games, where Great Britain faced France in a two-day match.

The LA28 format is expected to include both men's and women's T20 competitions, a move designed to align with modern viewing trends and ensure shorter, high-intensity matches suited to Olympic scheduling.

T20 cricket's growing global popularity has played a major role in its Olympic inclusion, as the format offers fast-paced entertainment that appeals to new audiences unfamiliar with longer versions of the game.

How Major League Cricket will use the Pomona venue

Before hosting Olympic matches, the Fairplex Grounds will also serve as a venue for Major League Cricket (MLC), the United States' premier professional T20 competition. The Los Angeles Knight Riders franchise is scheduled to play three matches at the ground between July 1 and July 5 ahead of the Olympic cycle.

This dual usage highlights the ICC's strategy of building sustainable infrastructure that supports domestic leagues while preparing for major international tournaments. It also allows organizers to test facilities and operational systems before the Olympic spotlight arrives.

How cricket's Olympic inclusion could change the sport's future

Cricket's return to the Olympics is widely viewed as a transformative moment for the sport's long-term growth. Olympic participation often unlocks government funding, improves infrastructure and encourages youth development programs in emerging cricket nations.

Administrators believe the LA28 Games could help reduce the competitive gap between established cricketing nations and developing teams, particularly as more countries invest in training programs and facilities. The global appeal of Olympic competition is also expected to introduce cricket to new audiences across the Americas.

What the LA28 stadium milestone means for cricket's expansion in the USA

The start of construction at Pomona represents one of the clearest signals yet that cricket's ambitions in the United States are accelerating. With the rise of leagues such as Major League Cricket and increasing international investment, the country is emerging as a potential growth hub for the sport.

If the LA28 stadium succeeds in delivering a world-class Olympic experience, it could leave behind a lasting infrastructure legacy that supports grassroots cricket, professional leagues and international tournaments for years to come.