Major League Cricket (MLC) has officially announced that its 2025 season will open at the legendary Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, marking a historic first for the Bay Area and the entire West Coast. The move brings the second-most popular sport in the world to one of America’s most iconic sports venues, as MLC prepares for its biggest and most ambitious season yet.
In an exclusive interview with cricexec the night before the announcement, MLC CEO Johnny Grave emphasized the significance of the move: “To be launching the season in such an iconic venue here in Oakland at the Coliseum, which everyone knows from the Raiders and from the A’s, from Moneyball—it’s such a part of U.S. sporting heritage and history. For us to be taking the first ever cricket games here is a dramatic, symbolic moment.”
A coast-to-coast summer of cricket
The 2025 MLC season will run from June 12 to July 13, with 34 matches played across three major venues: Oakland Coliseum (June 12–18), Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas (June 20–29), and Broward County Stadium in Florida (July 1–6). The playoffs and finals will be held back at Grand Prairie from July 8–13. This marks the first time in MLC’s history that matches will be played on both coasts.
“Whether you’re in the Bay Area, South Florida, or Dallas, the best cricketers in the world are coming to town,” Grave told cricexec. “And they’re playing under lights, in proper stadiums, in a compact, high-energy tournament.”
Oakland will host seven game days and nine total matches, including home games for the San Francisco Unicorns, who will play at the Coliseum for the first time. David White, CEO of the Unicorns, called the move “an unforgettable matchday experience in one of the region’s most iconic venues.”
Bringing the MLC to the Bay
San Francisco Unicorns co-owners Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan also commented on bringing Major League Cricket to the Bay Area: “The arrival of this sport at a world-class venue like the Oakland Coliseum, and the opportunity to have the Unicorns play in its home market, is a dream come true for us,” said Rajaraman. “We are fully committed to making the Unicorns a key part of the Bay Area’s sporting culture and providing fans with an exciting and memorable cricket experience.”
Harinarayan added, “The passion for cricket in the Bay Area is undeniable, and we are thrilled to have a home that can accommodate and inspire our growing fanbase. We look forward to an incredible season ahead.”
Transforming a legendary venue for cricket
While historically known for hosting NFL and MLB games, the Coliseum will undergo a transformation to accommodate professional cricket. Drop-in turf wickets meeting international standards will be installed, ensuring a high-quality playing surface.
“The Coliseum is a fantastic location for Major League Cricket,” said Grave. “Coming to the West Coast, and being here in Oakland, is an historic move for cricket globally. It reinforces our commitment to growing the game in the United States and providing fans with an exceptional cricket experience.”
The move also delivers economic impact. The season is expected to bring a $3 million direct economic boost to Oakland, adding new energy and visibility to a venue that has long been central to the city’s sports identity.
City leaders praised the decision. “The Oakland Coliseum has long been a destination for sports and entertainment, and we are excited to add cricket to its continuing legacy,” said Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “This move underscores Oakland’s status as a diverse and dynamic sports city.”
Oakland City Council Member Rebecca Kaplan called cricket’s arrival “fabulous,” noting that the Bay Area has “the largest proportion of cricket fans in America, and the most passionate!”
A broader strategy to grow the game
The West Coast debut is part of a much larger strategy by MLC to expand its geographic footprint and fan base.
“We want to attract as many fans as we possibly can,” Grave told cricexec. “And our message to the core cricket fans—those from South Asian, Caribbean, or British backgrounds—is: bring your friends.”
He added, “We’re embracing the Bay Area, getting obviously the fans here behind their local team, the San Francisco Unicorns, but also just coming to support Major League Cricket.”
This focus on regional identity is a key tenet of Grave’s strategy to build lasting fan engagement. In his interview with cricexec, he spoke about the need for permanent home venues and community connection: “Our aim is for every summer to feel like a can’t-miss event when Major League Cricket comes to town.”
The commercial and cultural opportunity
The 2025 season builds on MLC’s commercial growth as well. Title sponsor Cognizant remains at the forefront, with Surya Gummadi, President of Cognizant Americas, noting that cricket’s rapid rise in the U.S. makes it an ideal complement to the brand’s broader portfolio.
“Cricket is rapidly gaining traction in the United States,” said Gummadi, “with a growing fan base who are passionate about the sport, and we are excited about both the expansion of the league into new markets and the future of cricket in the United States.”
Nicole Strange, GM of the Coliseum and Oakland Arena (ASM Global), called the arrival of MLC “an incredible opportunity for the Bay Area community and beyond to experience this global sport right here in the heart of Oakland.”
What it means
From symbolism to economics to visibility, the launch of the 2025 MLC season at the Oakland Coliseum is a statement—about cricket’s ambitions in America and Oakland’s ongoing relevance as a sports city.
“The fact that if you live on the West Coast or you live in the center or on the East Coast, there is going to be a week of matches for you to fly down and attend… that’s the most exciting thing,” Grave told cricexec. “Cricket of this caliber has never been played on the West Coast. That’s what makes this special.”
Fans can now sign up for pre-sale ticket access at www.majorleaguecricket.com. Base tickets will start at just $20, aiming to make the experience accessible to all.
From the Bay Area to Broward County, MLC’s 2025 season promises to be a turning point for cricket in America—and Oakland is leading the way.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
