The International Cricket Council (ICC) is stepping up efforts to expand cricket in China, with plans to support the country in hosting a Tier 2 international event and establishing a high-performance Centre of Excellence as interest in the sport grows following its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta told PTI that the world body is working closely with the Chinese Cricket Association (CCA) to develop infrastructure, increase participation and strengthen player development pathways.
“The CCA has expressed a strong desire to institute, with ICC’s support, a centre of excellence, along the lines of the ICC Academy in the UAE,” Gupta said.
He said cricket’s return to the Olympics after 128 years has changed how the sport is viewed in countries like China, opening doors to greater government support, investment and infrastructure development.
China currently has cricket activity in nine of its 22 provinces, with Gupta saying inclusion in the country’s National Games could significantly accelerate growth. The ICC is also using women’s cricket as a key driver, with the CCA maintaining a policy of 50% female participation across its programmes.
A 1,500-capacity cricket venue has recently opened in China and the ICC is keen to help the country host a Tier 2 event soon.
The ICC has invested over USD 1.5 million in Chinese cricket over the past five years, while the CCA reported the highest non-ICC income among all associate members in 2024.