Japan is set to host the East Asia-Pacific (EAP) qualifiers for the 2028 men’s T20 World Cup next month, marking a significant milestone for cricket in a country traditionally dominated by baseball. The tournament will take place from May 8 to May 18 across two venues: a newly constructed cricket stadium in Nisshin, near Nagoya, and the Japan Cricket Association’s (JCA) headquarters in Sano, approximately 100 kilometers north of Tokyo.

The Nisshin ground was specifically built to accommodate cricket events at this year’s Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Nagoya and the broader Aichi region from September 19 to October 4. This marks the first time men’s T20 international matches will be played at the venue.

A total of nine teams will compete in what is described as the largest EAP qualifying tournament to date. Alongside host Japan, participating teams include the Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Samoa, and Vanuatu. These teams will vie for a chance to advance toward the T20 World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2028.

JCA Chief Operations Officer Alan Curr emphasized the significance of hosting an event of this scale in Japan, highlighting it as an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s readiness to stage regional cricket tournaments across multiple venues. He acknowledged the logistical challenges ahead but expressed confidence in delivering a successful tournament that will not only showcase the distinctive cricketing talent within the EAP region but also build momentum for cricket’s inclusion at the upcoming Asian Games.

The qualifiers represent a key step in expanding cricket’s footprint in East Asia and the Pacific, offering emerging teams greater exposure on the international stage. This development aligns with the International Cricket Council’s broader efforts to globalize the sport, particularly in regions where cricket is still gaining a foothold.