MLC 2026 FAQ: Teams, Venues, Teams – Everything you need to know about Major League Cricket

MI New York celebrates defeating Washington Freedom by 5 runs to win the 2025 MLC title. (Sportzpics) Major League Cricket (MLC) returns on June 18 for its fourth edition, with the same number of teams as last time, but featuring the Knight Riders Cricket Field in California as LA’s third Olympic venue in two years.Before the fourth season begins, here are some quick questions and answers to give our readers a closer look at the tournament.Q. Catch me. What is MLC?MLC, or Major League Cricket, is a T20 league played in the USA. Organized by American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) and sanctioned by USA Cricket, it was established in 2023 after receiving recognition from the ICC.The 2023 season was played over three weeks and at two venues. It expanded to three spots last season. MI New York are two-time champions (2023 and 2025), with the Washington Freedom winning the title in 2024.Q: When does MLC 2026 start?The fourth season of MLC starts on 18th June (19th June IST) and will continue till 18th July (19th July IST). Again, 34 matches will be played – 30 league stages and four play-off matches.Q. Which teams will play in the 2026 MLC? Who are the defending champions?

MI New York won its second MLC title last year. It was the 13th global title for the Mumbai Indians family. (OR)

This season there are six teams – same as last year – Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Texas Super Kings, Washington Freedom.MI New York are the defending and two-time champions. They beat the Washington Freedom in the finals.Q: Where will the matches be held?Three locations will again be used during the MLC. Matches will be hosted by Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, Oakland Coliseum in California and Knight Riders Cricket Field in California. Knight Riders Cricket Field replaces Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.The Oakland Coliseum, which hosted its first set of games last season, will also be the site of the playoffs and finals.Q: Is there an IPL connection?Yes. Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York and Texas Super Kings have apparent links with Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings respectively. In addition to these three, the Seattle Orcas are owned by the GMR Group, co-owners of the Delhi Capitals.Q: Who is the biggest name in MLC 2026?

R Ashwin will represent the San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC. (Image: X)

The biggest signing this season is former India spinner R Ashwin who has joined the San Francisco Unicorns. He is the first former India player to associate with the MLC.Ashwin, who retired from Indian colors in 2024, will be playing his first T20 competition outside the IPL. He signed up to play in the 2025–26 Big Bash League (BBL) but was ruled out due to a knee injury.Q: Who are the other major players in MLC 2026?LAKR: Alex Hales, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Unmukt ChandMINES: Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Trent Boult, Romario Shepherd, Monank PatelUnicorns: Matt Short, Finn Allen, Cooper Connolly, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Haris Rauf, Sanjay KrishnamurthiSeattle Orcas: Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Tanveer Sangha, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman, Dasun ShanakaTexas Super Kings: Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira, Rilee Rossouw, Adam Milne, Keshav MaharajWashington Freedom: Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, Rachin Ravindra, Saurabh Netravalkar.Q: What is the format for MLC 2026?Like most other franchise T20 leagues, the top four teams after 30 matches with each round qualify for the playoffs. The second phase of the competition will be played at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California.The first qualifier will be played between the two best sides. The third and fourth place teams will compete in the Eliminator.The loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator will play the “Challenger” (called “Qualifier 2” in the IPL).The final, to be played on July 18, will be between the winner of the qualifier and the Challenger.