Washington (Sports Desk): After 128 years, cricket is set to make a comeback at the Olympics, and to prepare for it, Major League Cricket (MLC) will be held for the first time in California, the host city of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The league will kick off with five matches at the Night Riders Cricket Field, starting on July 1 with a game between the Los Angeles Night Riders and Washington Freedom. Additional matches will also be held on July 4 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States.
League head Johnny Grave said that hosting MLC will serve as a milestone for cricket development in the U.S., with the Pomona Fairgrounds serving as the central venue for cricket at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Cricket was last featured in the Olympics in Paris 1900, when only Great Britain and host nation France participated, with Great Britain claiming the title.
At the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the T20 cricket event will feature six teams each for men and women.