The organisers of the Los Angeles Olympics are on the lookout for a suitable venue to host cricket, and their search could lead them across the country to the East Coast. Although the 2028 Olympic Games will be based in Los Angeles, California, cricket matches might take place far from the West Coast.
Casey Wasserman, head of LA28, mentioned in an interview with Cricbuzz that the team is still working out the details, confirming reports that New York is being considered as an alternative location. The primary reason for this is to make the matches more accessible for viewers in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in India.
Due to the 12.5-hour time difference between Los Angeles and India, a prime-time game starting at 8 PM in LA would air in India early in the morning, which could deter viewership. By contrast, New York, with its 9.5-hour time difference from India, offers a more favorable option. A match starting at 10:30-11:00 AM on the East Coast would air in India around 8 PM, ideal for prime-time viewership. This strategy mirrors what the International Cricket Council (ICC) did for the Twenty20 World Cup earlier this year.
However, the idea of hosting the matches in New York has sparked some controversy, with allegations of financial misconduct against ICC officials leading to an inquiry. Beyond timing concerns, finding a proper venue is another challenge, as cricket grounds are scarce in the US. The recent World Cup matches in New York were held in a temporary stadium on Long Island that was dismantled after the event.
Other cities like Dallas, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also hosted World Cup games, while Major League Cricket (MLC) matches are currently being played in Dallas and North Carolina. Despite this, the LA28 organisers have yet to finalise a venue for cricket, even though they've announced locations for most other sports.
Cricket poses a unique venue challenge for LA28, as the event aims to keep costs low by using existing venues. Unfortunately, there are few, if any, cricket facilities in California or elsewhere in the country. The Indian market played a crucial role in cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics.
This would not be the first time part of the Olympic Games is hosted outside the main city. For instance, football matches during the recent Paris Olympics were held across France. Similarly, during the 1984 LA Olympics, football games were played in various US cities.
Cricket’s return to the Olympics after 128 years is highly anticipated. The sport was last played in the 1900 Paris Games. Alongside cricket, new sports like baseball, softball, flag football, squash, and lacrosse will also make their Olympic debut in LA.