Major League Cricket (MLC) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United States. The competition began in 2023 and features American players alongside international stars from established cricket nations. Organised by American Cricket Enterprises and sanctioned by USA Cricket, MLC aims to grow professional cricket in the United States.
The league has attracted well-known players and investment from organisations associated with major T20 competitions around the world. Its six franchises include Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Texas Super Kings and Washington Freedom.
MI New York won the first MLC championship in 2023 and returned to the top in 2025. Washington Freedom claimed the title in 2024, while Los Angeles Knight Riders won their maiden championship in 2026 after defeating Washington Freedom by one run in the final. The league’s growth has also supported the development of American players ahead of major international competitions.
What Is Major League Cricket?
MLC is a franchise-based T20 competition played in the United States. Each team represents a city or region and builds a squad featuring American cricketers and overseas professionals.
The tournament follows the standard T20 format, with each side receiving a maximum of 20 overs in a normal innings. The competition uses a league stage and playoffs to determine the champion.
MLC received List A status from the International Cricket Council in 2024, an important step in establishing the competition within the international cricket structure. The league has also invested in venues and broadcasting partnerships to reach more fans in the United States and overseas.
History of Major League Cricket
MLC was developed to establish a professional domestic T20 competition in the United States. Before its launch, American cricket had limited exposure compared with established cricket markets such as India, Australia and England.
The inaugural season took place in July 2023, with six franchises competing for the first championship. MI New York won the title after defeating the Seattle Orcas by seven wickets in the final.
Washington Freedom became champions in 2024 after beating San Francisco Unicorns by 96 runs. MI New York then won their second title in 2025, defeating Washington Freedom by five runs in the final.
The 2026 season brought another new champion. The Los Angeles Knight Riders defeated Washington Freedom by one run in a close final at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The match concluded a season that included major individual performances and increased attendance at league venues.
Major League Cricket Winners List
MLC has completed four seasons, with three different franchises winning the championship.
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Final result |
| 2023 | MI New York | Seattle Orcas | Won by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | Washington Freedom | San Francisco Unicorns | Won by 96 runs |
| 2025 | MI New York | Washington Freedom | Won by 5 runs |
| 2026 | Los Angeles Knight Riders | Washington Freedom | Won by 1 run |
Most Successful Teams in MLC History
MI New York have won two MLC titles, making them the first franchise to claim the championship twice. Washington Freedom have reached the final three times in the first four seasons, winning the 2024 edition.
The Los Angeles Knight Riders joined the list of champions in 2026, while the Seattle Orcas and San Francisco Unicorns have also reached the finals.
| Team | Titles | Winning seasons |
| MI New York | 2 | 2023, 2025 |
| Washington Freedom | 1 | 2024 |
| Los Angeles Knight Riders | 1 | 2026 |
| Seattle Orcas | 0 | — |
| San Francisco Unicorns | 0 | — |
| Texas Super Kings | 0 | — |
Major League Cricket Teams
MLC features six franchises, each with its own squad, coaching staff and ownership group. Several franchises have links to teams competing in the Indian Premier League and other international T20 leagues.
Los Angeles Knight Riders
The Los Angeles Knight Riders are part of the Knight Riders franchise network associated with Kolkata Knight Riders. They won their first MLC championship in 2026 after beating Washington Freedom by one run in the final.
The team have featured international players from the Knight Riders network alongside American cricketers. Its title-winning campaign gave the franchise its first MLC trophy.
MI New York
MI New York are associated with the Mumbai Indians franchise network. They won the inaugural MLC season in 2023 and secured their second title in 2025.
The team have featured international players such as Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard, along with American talent. Its two championships make it the most successful team in MLC history so far.
San Francisco Unicorns
San Francisco Unicorns represent the San Francisco Bay Area. They reached the final in 2024 but lost to Washington Freedom.
The franchise has included international players and American cricketers as it seeks to build a strong presence in the growing US cricket market.
Seattle Orcas
Seattle Orcas represent the Pacific Northwest. They finished as runners-up in the inaugural 2023 season after losing to MI New York in the final.
The franchise has featured players from several cricketing nations and provides a professional platform for local talent in the region.
Texas Super Kings
Texas Super Kings are associated with the Chennai Super Kings franchise network. They play in the Dallas area and have been a regular participant since MLC began.
The team have featured experienced international players and American cricketers, aiming to establish a consistent presence in the competition.
Washington Freedom
Washington Freedom represents the Washington, DC region. They won the 2024 championship and reached the final again in 2025 and 2026, finishing as runners-up on both occasions.
The team has featured players such as Travis Head, Steve Smith and Andries Gous across its MLC campaigns.
Major League Cricket Format
MLC uses a T20 format in which each team can bat for a maximum of 20 overs. Matches are played under standard T20 rules, with the winner determined by the team scoring more runs.
The tournament includes a league stage followed by playoffs. Teams earn points based on their results, and their position in the standings determines qualification for the knockout stage.
The 2026 season featured six teams and 34 matches. The final was played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, where the Los Angeles Knight Riders defeated the Washington Freedom by one run.
Major League Cricket 2026: Latest Season
The 2026 edition marked the fourth season of MLC. The competition ran from June into July and featured 34 T20 matches across its participating teams.
Los Angeles Knight Riders won the championship after a dramatic final against Washington Freedom. Batting first, the Knight Riders scored 164 runs before being bowled out in 19.4 overs. Washington Freedom finished on 163/9 in their 20 overs, falling just one run short.
Sunil Narine played a key role in the title-winning performance and received Player of the Final honours. The victory gave the Los Angeles Knight Riders their first MLC title and denied Washington Freedom a second championship.
Washington Freedom batter Andries Gous finished as the season’s leading run-scorer with 547 runs. The 2026 campaign also featured nine centuries and several record-breaking performances, highlighting the growing standard of batting in the competition.
MLC 2026 Final Summary
| Category | Details |
| Champion | Los Angeles Knight Riders |
| Runner-up | Washington Freedom |
| Final result | Los Angeles Knight Riders won by 1 run |
| Los Angeles Knight Riders score | 164 all out |
| Washington Freedom score | 163/9 |
| Player of the Final | Sunil Narine |
| Leading run-scorer | Andries Gous – 547 runs |
| Final venue | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| Total matches | 34 |
Major League Cricket Venues
MLC has expanded its venue options as the competition has developed. Matches have been played at facilities in Texas, North Carolina, Florida and California.
Important venues have included:
- Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas: Hosted matches during the inaugural season and subsequent editions.
- Church Street Park, North Carolina: Hosted matches during the early years of the league.
- Central Broward Park, Florida: Has been included among the league’s US venue options.
- Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, California: Hosted the 2026 final.
- Knight Riders Cricket Ground, California: Opened in 2026 at Fairplex in Pomona and is intended to serve as a future cricket venue for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The use of additional venues allows MLC to reach cricket fans in different parts of the country while helping develop the infrastructure needed for the sport’s future in the United States.
Major League Cricket Records and Achievements
MLC has produced several notable achievements since its launch in 2023. MI New York became the first team to win two championships, while Washington Freedom reached three finals in the league’s first four seasons.
The 2026 edition also produced several significant individual and team milestones. According to the league’s season report, the tournament featured nine centuries, two hat-tricks and a record 51 sixes in one match.
Some of the league’s major achievements include:
- MI New York winning the inaugural championship in 2023.
- Washington Freedom winning their first title in 2024.
- MI New York becoming the first two-time champion in 2025.
- Los Angeles Knight Riders winning their first championship in 2026.
- Andries Gous scored 547 runs to finish as the leading run-scorer in 2026.
- The 2026 final being decided by a single run.
These milestones reflect the competition’s rapid development and its growing role in American professional cricket.
Major League Cricket at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Full name | Major League Cricket |
| Abbreviation | MLC |
| Country | United States |
| First season | 2023 |
| Format | Twenty20 |
| Organiser | American Cricket Enterprises |
| Sanctioning body | USA Cricket |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| Latest champion | Los Angeles Knight Riders |
| Latest runner-up | Washington Freedom |
| Most successful team | MI New York |
| Total titles for leading team | 2 |
| Latest season covered | 2026 |
FAQs
Q. When did MLC begin?
A. MLC began in 2023.
Q. Which team won MLC 2026?
A. The Los Angeles Knight Riders won the 2026 championship.
Q. How many teams play in MLC?
A. Six teams compete in the league.
Q. Which team has won the most MLC titles?
A. MI New York have won two titles.
Q. Who was the leading run-scorer in MLC 2026?
A. Andries Gous scored 547 runs.
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