Major League Cricket Unveils 2026 Schedule After a Record-Breaking Season 3
Major League Cricket (MLC) has officially announced the schedule for its fourth season, set to take place from June 18 to July 18, 2026. This season will feature a total of 34 matches played among six teams, marking a significant milestone in the growth of professional cricket in the United States. The announcement was made on Wednesday, highlighting the league’s rapid expansion and popularity.
Teams and Expansion Plans
The upcoming season will see six franchises competing: Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Texas Super Kings, and Washington Freedom. MLC organizers have ambitious plans to expand the league to eight teams by 2027, with ongoing discussions to establish a presence in Canada. This expansion is part of MLC’s broader vision to enhance cricket’s footprint across North America. The previous season concluded with MI New York securing their second title in three years, edging out Washington Freedom in a thrilling last-ball finish.
Record-Breaking Performances
Season 3 of MLC was marked by remarkable performances and record-breaking statistics. A total of 18 team totals exceeded 200 runs, and the season featured five matches that concluded on the last ball. Additionally, seven centuries were scored throughout the tournament. USA captain Monank Patel emerged as the leading run-scorer with an impressive tally of 478 runs. In the final match, local bowler Rushil Ugarkar played a crucial role, delivering a match-winning final over that earned him the Player of the Match award.
Growth and Investment in Cricket
Reflecting on the league’s success, MLC CEO Johnny Grave emphasized the increasing demand for high-quality cricket in the U.S. He noted that the league is attracting new fans and viewers both domestically and internationally. The growth of MLC has been significantly supported by American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), which has invested over USD 150 million into U.S. cricket. ACE aims to develop 10 international-standard venues by 2030, ensuring fans across the country have access to elite cricket and improved pathways for American players.
Future Prospects for MLC
Grave highlighted that the next phase for MLC involves further infrastructure investment, with ACE’s backing aimed at bringing more world-class cricket to fans. The league, which launched in 2023, remains the only ICC-sanctioned domestic T20 league in the U.S. Season 3 saw a 53% increase in ticket sales, a global broadcast reach extending to over 90 countries, and more than 400 million social media impressions. These figures underscore cricket’s rapidly growing presence in the American sporting landscape, setting a promising stage for the upcoming season in 2026.
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