MLC 2026 Explained: Teams, Squads, Schedule, Rules and Players to Watch

The fourth season of Major League Cricket (MLC) gets underway on June 18, and the USA-based T20 league is set to feature some of the biggest names in world cricket alongside America’s emerging domestic talent. What started as an ambitious project to grow cricket in the United States has quickly become one of the most attractive franchise leagues outside the IPL.

With six franchises, 34 matches, international superstars, IPL-backed teams and the historic arrival of Ravichandran Ashwin, MLC 2026 promises to be the biggest edition yet.

What is Major League Cricket?

Major League Cricket is the premier professional T20 competition in the United States. Founded in 2023, the league is sanctioned by USA Cricket and backed by American Cricket Enterprises. The tournament has rapidly expanded its global footprint and now attracts elite players from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England, the West Indies, Pakistan and, for the first time, India.

MLC 2026 Format

• 6 teams
• Double round-robin format
• 30 league matches
• 4 playoff matches
• Total of 34 matches
• Tournament runs from June 18 to July 18, 2026

MLC Venues

MLC 2026 will be played across three venues:

Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas: The spiritual home of MLC and venue for the opening match.

Oakland Coliseum, California: Hosts playoff matches and the final for the first time.

Knight Riders Cricket Field, Pomona, California: A new venue making its MLC debut in 2026.

The Six MLC Teams

MI New York: The most successful franchise in MLC history and defending champions. The team is backed by the Mumbai Indians ownership group and is expected to be led by Nicholas Pooran.

Texas Super Kings: The Chennai Super Kings sister franchise continues under the leadership of Faf du Plessis and coach Stephen Fleming. They have been among the most consistent teams since MLC’s inception.

San Francisco Unicorns: One of the most exciting teams in the competition and now home to Ravichandran Ashwin, making history as the first Indian-capped player to feature in MLC.

Washington Freedom: Champions in 2024 and runners-up in 2025, Washington Freedom possess one of the strongest squads in the competition with Glenn Maxwell, Lockie Ferguson and Mark Chapman among their stars.

Seattle Orcas: The inaugural season runners-up have rebuilt their squad and remain a dangerous side with a strong mix of overseas and domestic talent.

Los Angeles Knight Riders: The Knight Riders-backed franchise will be looking to convert star power into results after underwhelming campaigns in previous seasons.

How Are MLC Squads Structured?

One of the unique aspects of MLC is its balance between international stars and domestic American players.

Current squad regulations include:

• Squad size between 15 and 18 players
• Up to 9 overseas players in a squad
• Minimum 6 USA-based players in the playing XI
• Domestic players acquired through the draft system
• Overseas stars signed directly by franchises

The model ensures local players gain valuable experience alongside some of the world’s biggest cricketers.

Biggest International Stars to Watch

Ravichandran Ashwin (San Francisco Unicorns): The biggest story of MLC 2026. Ashwin becomes the first Indian-capped cricketer to participate in the league. The former India off-spinner joins San Francisco Unicorns after ending his international and IPL careers and could significantly elevate the tournament’s global profile.

Steve Smith & Glenn Maxwell (Washington Freedom): One being most dependable and the other being the most destructive T20 players in the world and proven match-winners in franchise cricket. Smith will be leading the franchise this season.

Nicholas Pooran (MI New York): Among the most feared T20 batters globally and expected to lead the defending champions.

Faf du Plessis (Texas Super Kings): Despite being in the twilight of his career, Faf remains one of the league’s most consistent performers.

Lockie Ferguson (Washington Freedom): Raw pace remains a major weapon in American conditions.

Haris Rauf (San Francisco Unicorns): The Pakistan speedster will form a potentially lethal partnership with Ashwin.

Domestic Players to Watch

The long-term success of MLC depends on American talent, and several local players are beginning to make a name for themselves.

Andries Gous: A reliable wicketkeeper-batter who has become one of USA cricket’s most important players.

Harmeet Singh: A former India U-19 cricketer who has reinvented himself as a key USA all-rounder.

Ali Khan: One of the pioneers of USA cricket and still among the country’s leading fast bowlers.

Shayan Jahangir: An aggressive top-order batter capable of changing games quickly.

These players benefit enormously from sharing dressing rooms with world-class stars.

Opening Match and Key Dates

The tournament begins on June 18 with Texas Super Kings taking on Seattle Orcas at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. The final is scheduled for July 18 at the Oakland Coliseum.