Cricket is poised to make a historic return to the Olympic Games after a 128-year absence, with organizers of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics exploring the possibility of hosting matches in New York. This significant move aims to cater to the immense fan base in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in India, where time zone differences could affect viewership.
Casey Wasserman, head of LA28, confirmed the ongoing discussions, stating, “We’re still working through the specifics.” The initiative comes as a response to the considerable time difference between Los Angeles and India, which stands at 12 hours and 30 minutes. A prime-time match scheduled for 8 PM in LA would correspond to the early morning in India, potentially limiting viewer engagement.
In contrast, hosting the matches in New York, with a time difference of nine and a half hours, would allow for games to begin around 10:30-11:00 AM. This schedule would enable Indian fans to enjoy the matches during their evening hours, a strategy that had previously been successfully employed during the recent Twenty20 World Cup.
However, the proposal is not without its controversies. Allegations of mismanagement and fund misuse among certain ICC officials have emerged, prompting an ongoing inquiry.
Finding a suitable venue poses another challenge for the organizers. The United States has a limited number of dedicated cricket grounds, and the recent World Cup matches in New York were held in a temporary modular stadium, dismantled after the event. Other cities, including Dallas and Fort Lauderdale, hosted matches during the World Cup, with Major League Cricket (MLC) games currently taking place in Dallas and North Carolina.
Despite these logistical hurdles, cricket’s inclusion in the LA28 Games marks a significant milestone, as it was last featured in the Olympics in 1900 in Paris. The Games will also welcome several other new sports, including baseball, softball, flag football, squash, and lacrosse.
While the LA28 organizers have yet to finalize the cricket venue, they have announced locations for most other sports. The strategy of holding events outside the host city is not unprecedented; the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the recent Paris Olympics both utilized multiple locations for specific competitions.
As the planning unfolds, the cricket community eagerly anticipates the potential return of the sport to the Olympic stage, along with the challenges that lie ahead.