5 New Sports That Will Change the Olympics Forever 🆕🏅
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will introduce five new sports to the world — and this is no minor change. For the first time, the Olympic program includes sports like flag football (derived from American football) and cricket (with 2.5 billion global fans), while squash finally gets its chance after decades of lobbying.
But why these sports? How do they work? And what can we expect from each one? Let's dive deep into every discipline.
🏈 Flag Football — The American Football Revolution
What is it?
Flag football is a version of American football without physical contact. Instead of tackling the opponent, players must pull a flag attached to the opponent's hip to stop the play.
Basic rules
| Aspect | Olympic Flag Football |
|---|---|
| Players | 5 per team on the field |
| Time | 2 halves of 20 minutes |
| Field | Smaller than American football (70×30 yards) |
| Touchdowns | 6 points |
| Contact | Prohibited (no tackles) |
| Equipment | No helmets or pads |
Why did it become Olympic?
- 20 million players in over 100 countries
- It's accessible: no expensive equipment or exceptional physical size required
- The NFL invested heavily in globalizing flag football
- It was featured during the 2026 Super Bowl as an Olympic sport
The NFL's global strategy
The inclusion of flag football in the Olympics didn't happen by accident. The NFL has been investing hundreds of millions of dollars in internationalizing the sport for over a decade. The NFL Flag program, launched in partnership with schools and local federations, already reaches more than 80 countries and serves approximately 15 million young players.
The American league understood that traditional American football — with its expensive equipment, concussion risks and complex rules — would hardly become a global mass sport. Flag football solves all these problems: it's cheap, safe and easy to understand. The NFL directly funded the campaign with the IOC and the LA28 organizing committee, offering logistical, marketing and even international referee training support.
Flag football vs. touch football: what's the difference?
Many people confuse flag football with touch football, but they are distinct sports. In touch football, simply touching the opponent with your hands stops the play. In flag football, you must pull the flag attached to the belt — which requires more agility and precision. Additionally, flag football has more structured rules about formations, passes and scoring, making it more strategic and suitable for high-level competition.
The growth of women's flag football
One of the most revolutionary aspects of Olympic flag football is gender equality. The competition will feature men's and women's tournaments with equal prominence. In the United States, women's flag football is the fastest-growing collegiate sport: the NAIA already recognizes the discipline, and the NCAA is in the process of official inclusion. Countries like Mexico, Panama and Japan also have competitive women's leagues, and the expectation is that the Olympics will further accelerate this global growth.
Competitive countries beyond the USA
Although the United States are favorites, the competition won't be a walkover. Mexico has one of the most organized flag football leagues in the world and has won international championships. Japan has invested in the sport since the 1990s and has a solid base of players. Austria surprised by winning European titles, and countries like Panama, Israel and Germany also field competitive teams. In the women's division, Mexico is considered the main threat to American dominance.
What to expect at LA28
- The USA are absolute favorites in both men's and women's
- Mexico, Japan and Austria are emerging powers
- Venue: BMO Stadium (home of LAFC, MLS)
- The competition promises to be electrifying — fast games with plenty of action
🏏 Cricket (T20) — The Most Popular Sport You Don't Know
What is it?
Cricket is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 11 players. It's the second most popular sport in the world (behind only football/soccer) with 2.5 billion fans — mainly in India, Pakistan, Australia, England and the Caribbean.
The T20 format
The Olympic format will be Twenty20 (T20): each team has 20 "overs" (sets of 6 deliveries) to score as many runs as possible. It's the fastest and most spectacular format of cricket:
| Aspect | Olympic T20 |
|---|---|
| Duration | ~3 hours per match |
| Players | 11 per team |
| Format | Each team bats for 20 overs |
| Scoring | Runs |
| Dismissals | 10 wickets (batsman eliminations) |
Understanding cricket: a glossary for newcomers
For those who have never watched a match, cricket can seem confusing. Here's a quick guide to essential terms:
- Over: A set of 6 deliveries bowled by the same bowler. In T20, each team faces 20 overs (120 balls total).
- Run: The basic point in cricket. The batsman hits the ball and runs to the other end of the pitch to score a run.
- Boundary: If the ball reaches the field boundary after bouncing, it's worth 4 runs. If it clears the boundary without bouncing (like a home run in baseball), it's worth 6 runs — the famous "six."
- Wicket: The set of three wooden stumps that the bowler tries to knock down. When the wicket falls, the batsman is out. Each team has 10 wickets.
- Bowling: The act of delivering the ball toward the batsman. Unlike baseball, the bowler runs before releasing and the ball bounces on the pitch before reaching the batsman.
How T20 revolutionized cricket
Traditional cricket (Test Cricket) can last up to five days — yes, five entire days of play. This made the sport inaccessible to new audiences. The T20 format, created in England in 2003, changed everything: 3-hour matches, plenty of action, music, lights and entertainment.
The Indian Premier League (IPL), founded in 2008, transformed T20 into a global phenomenon. With billion-dollar TV contracts, international stars and a franchise format inspired by the NBA, the IPL generates over US$8 billion per year and is the most-watched sports league in Asia.
The economic impact of cricket's inclusion
Cricket's entry into the Olympics isn't just sporting — it's a calculated financial move. India, with its 1.4 billion inhabitants, is the world's largest sports market by audience volume. It's estimated that cricket's inclusion could increase Olympic TV viewership by up to 30% globally. Indian broadcasters have already negotiated record-breaking transmission rights.
Why did it become Olympic?
Cricket's return is historic: the last time it was Olympic was in Paris 1900 — 128 years ago. The inclusion is due to:
- Potential audience of 1.5 billion Indians
- Explosive growth of the T20 format
- Pressure from Asian federations and the IOC to diversify the Games' global reach
What to expect at LA28
- India, Australia and England are absolute favorites
- The men's and women's tournaments will have 8 teams each
- Could generate the largest TV audience in Olympic history from India
🏸 Squash — The Long Wait Is Finally Over
What is it?
Squash is a racket sport played in an enclosed court with glass walls. Two players (or four, in doubles) alternate hitting the ball against the front wall. It's extremely fast, technical and demands extraordinary physical endurance.
Basic rules
| Aspect | Olympic Squash |
|---|---|
| Players | 1 vs 1 (singles) |
| Sets | Best of 5 games (11 points each) |
| Court | 9.75m × 6.40m (with glass walls) |
| Ball | Small, rubber (different speeds) |
| Average duration | 40-60 minutes |
The healthiest sport in the world
Forbes magazine has classified squash as the healthiest sport in the world, and the numbers explain why. A competitive squash match burns between 700 and 1,000 calories per hour — more than running, swimming or cycling. A professional player's heart rate during a match consistently stays above 80% of maximum heart rate, and athletes cover an average of 2.5 km per match in a court of just 62 square meters.
Great names in world squash
Egypt dominates world squash overwhelmingly. Ali Farag and Mohamed ElShorbagy have been competing for the top of the men's rankings for years, while Nour El Sherbini and Nouran Gohar reign in the women's game. Egypt has a grassroots development program that starts at age 5, with specialized academies in Cairo and Alexandria producing world champions consistently.
Historically, Pakistan dominated squash for decades — Jahangir Khan holds the record of 555 consecutive victories (1981-1986), a mark that will likely never be surpassed in any sport.
Why did it take so long to be accepted?
Squash tried to enter the Olympics on five occasions before finally being accepted for 2028. It was rejected for London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. The main obstacles were: difficulty of TV broadcasting (the enclosed court limited camera angles), the perception of being an "elite sport" and competition from other disciplines with stronger lobbies. The solution came with transparent glass courts, which revolutionized the spectator experience.
What to expect
- Egypt dominates the world scene
- New Zealand, England and Colombia are also strong
- Venue: Universal Studios Hollywood — yes, inside the theme park!
- The transparent glass court will provide a unique visual spectacle
🥍 Lacrosse (Sixes) — From Indigenous Cultures to Olympus
What is it?
Lacrosse is a team sport where players use sticks with a net at the end to catch, carry and throw a rubber ball into the opponent's goal. It's one of the oldest sports in North America, with roots in indigenous cultures (Haudenosaunee/Iroquois).
The Sixes format (Olympic)
| Aspect | Lacrosse Sixes |
|---|---|
| Players | 6 per team (+ goalkeeper) |
| Time | 4 quarters of 8 minutes |
| Field | Smaller than traditional lacrosse |
| Shot clock | 30 seconds to shoot |
| Pace | Extremely fast |
Why did it become Olympic?
Lacrosse was already Olympic in 1904 (St. Louis) and 1908 (London) — it returns 120 years later. It was included because:
- It's one of the fastest-growing sports in North America and Europe
- It has deep cultural significance for indigenous nations
- The Sixes format was created specifically to be more spectacular and accessible
What to expect
- USA and Canada dominate historically
- The presence of the Haudenosaunee indigenous nations (who invented the sport) is a symbolic milestone
- Lacrosse Sixes is fast, with many goals — perfect for TV
⚾ Baseball/Softball — The Return of American Classics
What is it?
Baseball (men's) and softball (women's) are bat-and-ball sports. The pitcher throws the ball, the batter tries to hit it and run the bases to score runs.
Why did it return?
Baseball/softball was in the Olympics from 1992 to 2008, dropped in 2012 and 2016, returned in Tokyo 2020 and dropped again in Paris 2024. Now it returns for LA28 — it makes sense: Los Angeles is a city passionate about baseball (Dodgers, Angels).
| Aspect | Olympic Baseball |
|---|---|
| Teams | 8 (men's) |
| Format | Elimination + finals |
| Innings | 9 per game |
| Venue | Dodger Stadium |
What to expect
- USA, Japan and South Korea are favorites
- Cuba and Dominican Republic also compete
- Dodger Stadium (56,000 seats) will be a spectacular setting
📊 How the New Sports Compare
| Sport | Global Fans | Countries | Last Olympic | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flag Football | ~20M players | 100+ | Never (debut) | M + F |
| Cricket (T20) | 2.5 billion | 100+ | 1900 (128 years) | M + F |
| Squash | 20M players | 150+ | Never (debut) | M + F |
| Lacrosse (Sixes) | 5M players | 70+ | 1908 (120 years) | M + F |
| Baseball/Softball | 500M+ fans | 80+ | 2020 (Tokyo) | M / F |
💰 The Economic Impact of the New Sports
The inclusion of five new sports in the 2028 Olympics isn't just a sporting decision — it's a billion-dollar financial play. Each discipline brings with it markets, audiences and sponsors that can transform the Olympic economy.
Broadcasting rights
The biggest impact will come from cricket. India, where cricket is practically a religion, represents a market of 1.4 billion people who historically have low engagement with the Olympics. With T20 in the program, Indian broadcasters like Star Sports and JioCinema negotiated unprecedented transmission packages. Analysts estimate that the 2028 Games broadcasting rights could exceed US$8 billion — a significant increase from the US$7.75 billion of Paris 2024.
Flag football also attracts heavy investment. The NFL, which generates over US$18 billion annually, sees the Olympics as a showcase to expand American football globally.
Sponsorships and brands
New sports mean new sponsors. Indian brands like Tata, Mahindra and Byju's are among the most interested in associating their images with the Olympic event through cricket. In squash, equipment manufacturers like Dunlop and Tecnifibre plan global campaigns leveraging Olympic visibility.
Shift in Olympic audience
The combination of these five sports could fundamentally alter the demographic profile of the Olympic audience. Cricket brings South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka), flag football attracts North America during prime time, and squash connects the Middle East and North Africa (where Egypt is a powerhouse). The expected result is a more diversified and consequently more valuable global audience for advertisers.
🗳️ How the New Sports Were Chosen
The selection process for new Olympic sports is rigorous and involves years of evaluation. Understanding how it works helps explain why these five sports — and not others — were chosen for LA28.
The role of the local organizing committee
Since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the IOC allows the local organizing committee to propose additional sports to the program. This means the LA28 committee had an active voice in the selection, prioritizing sports with strong appeal in the American market and global audience potential.
IOC evaluation criteria
The International Olympic Committee evaluates each candidate sport based on several criteria:
- Universality: How many countries and continents practice the sport?
- Popularity and audience: What's the potential TV and digital audience?
- Gender equality: Does the sport offer men's and women's competitions?
- Youth appeal: Does the sport attract Gen Z and millennials?
- Infrastructure: Are there suitable venues in the host city?
- Cost: How much does it cost to add the sport to the program?
- Added value: Does the sport bring something new and different?
Sports that didn't make the cut
Several sports applied for LA28 and were not selected. Kickboxing, karate (which was in Tokyo 2020) and parkour were among the candidates. Karate, despite its recent inclusion, couldn't maintain its place due to lack of global TV appeal. Parkour, although popular among young people, still faces challenges in rule standardization and safety.
🇧🇷 Does Brazil Have a Chance in These New Sports?
| Sport | Brazilian Participation | Chance |
|---|---|---|
| Flag Football | Brazil has an active team, but far from Top 5 | 🔵 Qualification difficult |
| Cricket | Practically nonexistent in the country | 🔴 No chance |
| Squash | Growing number of players, no world-level expression | 🔴 Unlikely |
| Lacrosse | Small but growing community | 🔴 Unlikely |
| Baseball | Regional tradition (São Paulo, Paraná) — has qualified before | 🟡 Possible qualification |
Baseball is Brazil's best chance: the country has participated in World Baseball Classics and has a player base in São Paulo and Paraná.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 5 new sports at the 2028 Olympics?
Flag football, cricket (T20), squash, lacrosse (sixes) and baseball/softball.
Is flag football the same as American football?
It's a no-contact version. Instead of tackling, you pull a flag from the opponent's hip. No helmets, no pads — faster and more accessible.
Why did cricket return after 128 years?
Because of the potential audience of 2.5 billion fans (mainly in India) and the explosive success of the T20 format.
Will Brazil participate in the new sports?
The best chance is in baseball, where Brazil has regional tradition. In the other sports, participation is unlikely.
Where will squash be played at LA28?
At Universal Studios Hollywood — the first Olympic competition inside a theme park!
Last updated: February 17, 2026
By Hercules Gobbi — Sports and pop culture.
#LA2028 #FlagFootball #Cricket #Squash #Lacrosse #NewSports #Olympics
