Major League Cricket (MLC) has announced the official dates for its Season 4, which will run from 18 June to 18 July 2026, following a record-breaking third season in 2025.
MLC, the ICC-sanctioned T20 league in the United States, continues its rise in both popularity and investment, with American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) confirming that total capital invested in U.S. cricket has now exceeded $150 million.
Season 3 sets new benchmarks for U.S. cricket
Launched in 2023, MLC’s third season was its most successful to date. According to the league, key metrics hit all-time highs:
- Ticket sales up 53% year-over-year, with a third consecutive sold-out final.
- 84% of attendees were first-time ticket buyers.
- Broadcast reach expanded to 90+ countries, reaching 54 million homes globally.
- Digital presence surged with 400M+ impressions and a 45% growth in social followers.
Season 3 also expanded MLC’s geographic footprint, with matches held at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and Broward County Stadium in Florida, marking the first top-level cricket events in those locations.
In a dramatic final, MI New York edged Washington Freedom by five runs to win their second title in three years. The season featured:
- 18 team scores above 200
- 7 centuries
- 5 last-ball finishes
Monank Patel, captain of the USA national team, led all run scorers with 478 runs. Rising star Rushil Ugarkar earned Player of the Match in the final, defending six runs in the last over against a lineup featuring Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Maxwell.
ACE crosses $150M in total investment, targets 10 venues by 2030
MLC’s continued expansion is fueled by major capital investments from ACE, with more than $150 million invested since 2019. According to ACE, an equivalent amount will be deployed over the coming years, focused on:
- Stadium development — with a target of 10 international-standard venues across the U.S. by 2030
- High-performance infrastructure and elite training centers
- Supporting the USA national team and grassroots development
- Expanding Minor League Cricket (MiLC) and other player pathway programs
ACE and MLC also played a central role in delivering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States.
Season 4 to feature 6 teams and 34 matches
MLC Season 4 will once again feature six teams competing in 34 matches over a month-long schedule. The 2026 season kicks off on 18 June and concludes with the final on 18 July. Details on venues, ticketing, and broadcast partners will be announced closer to the tournament.
“Season 3 showed that demand for top-tier cricket in the U.S. is real and accelerating,” said Johnny Grave, CEO of Major League Cricket.
“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.”
MLC remains the only ICC-recognized T20 franchise league in the U.S. and is rapidly becoming a global destination for top-tier talent and fans alike.
