The 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles will feature several new and returning sports, including:
Cricket
A sport that will return to the Summer Games for the first time since 1900 Cricket was last played in Summer Games in 1900. It is expected to be as a Twenty20 tournament for both men and women. It was removed due to its speed and difficulty to follow on TV in most markets. However, the sport is popular in countries of the former British Empire, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
- Flag football
- An optional sport that will make its Summer Games debut. It is a non-contact version of American football where players stop the ball carrier by pulling a flag attached to their waist instead of tackling. Played by teams of 5–8 players, it emphasizes speed, strategy, and teamwork. The game is safer and widely enjoyed for its accessibility and inclusivity across all ages and skill levels.
- Squash
- An optional sport that will make its Summer Games debut. It is a fast-paced racket sport played by two players (singles) or four players (doubles) in an enclosed court. Players take turns hitting a small rubber ball against the front wall, aiming to outmaneuver their opponent and score points by making the ball unreturnable. Known for its intensity and agility, squash is a popular sport for fitness and competition worldwide.
- LacrosseA returning sport that will appear for the first time as a full medal sport since 1908. It is a fast-paced team sport played with a small rubber ball and a stick with a netted head, called a lacrosse stick. Teams aim to score by shooting the ball into the opponent’s goal while using the stick to catch, carry, and pass. Known for its speed and physicality, lacrosse has Native American origins and is now played globally in various forms, including field, box, and women’s lacrosse.
- Baseball
- A returning sport that last appeared in the Summer Games in 2021.Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The game involves batting, fielding, and pitching, with the goal of scoring runs by hitting the ball and running around four bases arranged in a diamond shape. Popular in countries like the United States, Japan, and Cuba, baseball is celebrated for its blend of strategy, skill, and teamwork.
- Softball
- A returning sport that last appeared in the Summer Games in 2021. It is a bat-and-ball sport similar to baseball but played on a smaller field with a larger ball. It is typically played by two teams of 9–10 players each, with the goal of scoring runs by hitting the ball and running around bases. Softball comes in two main forms: slow-pitch and fast-pitch, differing in pitching style and game speed. Known for its accessibility, it is enjoyed recreationally and competitively worldwide.
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