Fairplex, home of the 103-year-old LA County Fair, has been named a venue for the 2028 Olympics, set to stage the exciting return of cricket to the Olympic Games after a 100-plus year hiatus.
LA28, the private organization responsible for organizing the 2028 Games, made the announcement Tuesday morning. This is the first time cricket will be a part of the Olympic Games since 1900, when only two countries participated in a two-day event. Cricket is a hugely popular international sport with 2.5 billion followers worldwide.
Fairplex’s campus has hosted several international competitions in the past and is poised to offer an exciting site for the world’s second most watched sport.
“We are ready to welcome a global audience to Fairplex and Pomona,” said Walter Marquez, President & CEO. “Our campus is perfect for such an event as the Olympics with everything from a hotel to parking to open space. And it will be a great opportunity for our local and regional community to get a chance to see an Olympic sport close to home.”
He added the economic impact from staging cricket will be a major benefit to the city and the region.
“The City of Pomona is proud to partner with the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics,” said Mayor Tim Sandoval. “This is a huge honor for our city. We look forward to welcoming athletes and spectators from all over the world.”
Los Angeles County Fair Association Board Chair John Landherr called the announcement another milestone on the checklist of historic events at Fairplex.
“To add the Olympic Games to the catalog of events here at Fairplex is a dream come true. It’s a dream for any venue,” Landherr said. “Fairplex is already home to drag racing and one of the country’s largest fairs, amongst other national and global competitions. We are thrilled to now stage cricket for the 2028 Olympics. It’s a moment of global unity through sport and a celebration of cricket’s growing legacy on the Olympic stage.”
Hilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and Supervisor for the First District, reiterated these sentiments.
“I’m incredibly proud that Fairplex in Pomona, a County-owned venue located in the First District, which I have the honor of representing, will serve as the official site for cricket during the LA28 Olympic Games,” Solis said. “By bringing this Olympic event to Pomona, a vibrant community in the East San Gabriel Valley, we’re ensuring that the spirit and magic of the Games reach every corner of Los Angeles County. This moment will create a lasting legacy for our residents and inspire future generations in communities that have historically been overlooked.”
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