Major League Cricket (MLC) has revealed the season dates for its fourth run following its most successful year ever.
MLC said that season will begin on the 18 June 2026 with the Final taking place on 18 July 2026. The organisation also said it hopes 10 international standard cricket grounds will be up and running in the USA by 2030.
Launched in 2023, MLC, cricket’s only ICC sanctioned domestic T20 franchise league in the United States, continues to build momentum both on pitch and off.
Owners American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) confirmed Season 3 set new records for ticket sales, broadcast reach and digital engagement. Season 3 highlights included:
- Ticket sales up 53% year on year, an all-time high in attendees and a third consecutive sold out Championship Final.
- 84% of ticket purchasers were first-time buyers at MLC games.
- Global carriage to 90+ countries across broadcast and streaming platforms, reaching 54 million homes.
- A 45% increase in social following, with over 400 million+ impressions across MLC’s core channels.
MLC also expanded its footprint coast to coast, staging the first top-level professional cricket at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and making its Florida debut at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill.
A last-ball Final at Grand Prairie saw MI New York defeat Washington Freedom by five runs, securing a second title in three years.
On the field, Season 3 produced 18 team totals above 200, five last-ball finishes, and seven centuries.
Backed by ACE, MLC’s growth is anchored by sustained capital investment. By the end of Season 3, ACE’s cumulative capital contribution to American cricket has now surpassed $150 million.
Over the next few years, ACE and MLC anticipate investing at least that amount again, focused on venue development and high-performance infrastructure, as teams ramp up projects nationwide, with a target of 10 international cricket grounds across the country by 2030.
Since 2019, ACE and its affiliates have directed funding to:
- Leagues and pathways: Launching and operating Major League Cricket (MLC) and Minor League Cricket (MiLC) to create a domestic pyramid and robust player pathways that support U.S. teams on the world stage.
- Facilities and high-performance: Developing stadiums and elite training environments, several of which have hosted USA National Team events.
- National-team support: Significant funding for USA Cricket (USAC) to bolster operations and national-team programs.
- Global showcase: Playing a central role in helping deliver the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States.
MLC Season 4, which will run from 18 June to 18 July 2026, will once again feature six teams and consist of 34 matches.
Johnny Grave, CEO of Major League Cricket, said, “Season 3 showed that demand for top-tier cricket in the U.S. is real and accelerating.
“MLC is winning new fans, followers and viewers throughout the USA and around the world. We’re delivering on our promise to grow the game across the USA and build relations with new and existing commercial partners.
“The next phase is further infrastructure investment. With ACE’s continued backing, our goal is to have 10 international standard venues by 2030, giving more fans access to world-class cricket and creating better environments for American players to develop.
“Finally, we look forward to bringing even more action and high-quality cricket next year, with MLC Season 4 starting June 18th.”
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