The International Cricket Council is preparing a major expansion of cricket in China, with plans to support a Centre of Excellence and help the Chinese Cricket Association host a Tier 2 international event. The push comes as cricket rides renewed relevance after returning to the Olympics at Los Angeles 2028.

ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta said the body is working with the Chinese association to develop a Centre of Excellence modelled on the ICC Academy in the UAE. The ICC also wants cricket included in China’s National Games.

Cricket is currently played in nine of China’s 22 provinces, and school programmes are being planned in provinces including Shandong and Tianjin. A new 1,500-capacity venue has already been launched.

The ICC has spent about $1.5 million in China over five years. China’s women’s team has climbed 10 places in the rankings, and 2026 T20 World Cup matches were streamed in Mandarin. South Asia still accounts for about 90 per cent of cricket’s billion-plus fans.