Are Olympics missing chance to build a lasting U.S. legacy?
Cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympics will take place at the Pomona Fairplex, a 500-acre event complex 30 miles east of Los Angeles, the IOC announced yesterday. The announcement marks a major milestone for the sport, which will feature in the LA28 Olympic Games for the first time in 128 years — but it also sharpens focus on a key question: Is the U.S. missing a rare opportunity to establish permanent, cricket-specific infrastructure on home soil?
The International Cricket Council (ICC), which led the push to include cricket in LA28, celebrated the confirmation of the venue.
“We welcome the announcement of the venue for cricket at Los Angeles 2028 as it is a significant step towards the preparation for our sport’s return to the Olympics,” said Jay Shah, ICC Chair.
A second major event, a second temporary stadium
Like the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which featured a temporary stadium in Nassau County, New York, the LA28 cricket competitions will be held in a non-cricket-specific, short-term venue. The Fairplex — better known for hosting county fairs, motorsport events, and trade shows — will be adapted to accommodate Olympic cricket for a limited time before being returned to its usual function.
While the use of temporary venues offers flexibility and cost savings, the World Cup also revealed the risks of such an approach. The drop-in pitch at Nassau County became a point of global controversy after multiple matches were marred by uneven bounce and inconsistent conditions — despite the ICC’s best efforts to remedy the situation mid-tournament.
Those memories remain fresh, and the use of a temporary venue in Pomona raises similar concerns about pitch quality, surface preparation, and player safety — especially under the glare of the Olympic spotlight.
LA28’s sustainability strategy vs. long-term infrastructure needs
For LA28 organizers, the decision fits squarely within a broader strategy to prioritize existing and temporary venues over new construction. The Pomona Fairplex selection helps maintain the Games’ sustainability commitments and cost controls.
“We’re grateful to the city of Pomona and Los Angeles County for their partnership and look forward to bringing cricket to the Pomona Fairplex for the Olympic Games,” said Reynold Hoover, LA28 Chief Executive Officer, in an interview with Olympics.com.
“We’re excited to build a venue that will introduce Olympic cricket to fans in the U.S. and around the world in a setting that’s both community-based and iconic.”
But the trade-off is clear: no permanent cricket stadium will result from the Olympics, and the event’s US legacy for the sport may be fleeting.
Oakland Coliseum speculation ends
The announcement also puts to rest industry speculation that other American venues — including the Oakland Coliseum — might be tapped for Olympic cricket. In March, Forbes reported that the iconic MLB stadium was being considered by LA28 and the ICC as a potential host venue, citing its history with major international events and its availability post–MLB Athletics relocation.
That possibility is now officially off the table.
Knight Riders’ stadium expected to be ready — but not used
Adding to the complexity is the fact that Southern California should have a dedicated cricket stadium ready before the Olympics, but it won’t be used. The LA Knight Riders, part of Shah Rukh Khan’s global T20 franchise network, are developing a purpose-built stadium in Irvine, expected to open in 2027 — well before the LA28 Games. Whether the project is on track or not, the Olympics could have been the catalyzing force to ensure timely completion.
While not affiliated with LA28, the stadium, like other MLC stadiums, is being designed to meet international standards and could have offered a ready-made, permanent solution for Olympic cricket. Instead, cricket at LA28 will unfold in a temporary structure at the Pomona Fairplex, raising questions about why a planned major U.S. cricket stadium isn’t part of the Olympic plans.
A breakthrough moment with lingering questions
Cricket’s reappearance at the Olympics is, without question, a historic achievement. The ICC’s long campaign for inclusion has paid off, and the T20 format will showcase the game’s speed, drama, and athleticism to a new generation of fans.
But as stakeholders look beyond the headlines, the question remains: Will these high-profile, one-off events actually help build cricket’s foundation in the US, or will they simply come and go, leaving little behind in the way of infrastructure, fan engagement, or commercial ecosystem?
The world will be watching in 2028 — but what they’ll be watching is a temporary grandstand, on a temporary field, in a market in need of permanence.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
