Cricket fever is officially taking over the United States once again! The schedule for the highly anticipated Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 season has been announced, and it’s shaping up to be the biggest American summer of cricket yet.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Texas Super Kings, backing the MI New York squad, or rooting for the Washington Freedom to go all the way, this is your ultimate guide to the 2026 season. Here is the complete breakdown of the dates, venues, and full schedule to ensure you don’t miss a single delivery.
MLC 2026: Fast Facts & Format
Before we dive into the fixtures, here’s a quick overview of what to expect from the fourth season of America’s premier T20 franchise tournament:
- Tournament Window: June 18, 2026 – July 18, 2026 (Local US Time)
- Format: T20 (Double round-robin league format followed by playoffs)
- Total Matches: 34 (30 League Stage + 4 Playoff Matches)
- Teams: 6 (Texas Super Kings, Seattle Orcas, Los Angeles Knight Riders, San Francisco Unicorns, Washington Freedom, MI New York)
The Venues: Where the Action Happens
This year, the tournament is expanding its footprint across three spectacular venues. The classic Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas returns to host the opening phase and the final leg of the league stages.
The biggest news for 2026? The inclusion of the iconic Oakland Coliseum in California, which will not only host a massive 23-match chunk of the tournament but will also be the battleground for the entire playoff phase and Final. Additionally, the brand-new Knight Riders Cricket Field in Pomona, California, makes its debut this season!
Complete MLC 2026 Match Schedule
(Note: Dates and times below are aligned with the official tournament schedule. Please adjust for your local time zone.)
Round 1: The Texas Kickoff (Grand Prairie Stadium, TX)
The season kicks off in Texas with a blockbuster rematch between the Texas Super Kings and the Seattle Orcas.
| Match | Date (Local) | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 18 | Texas Super Kings vs. Seattle Orcas | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 2 | June 19 | Los Angeles Knight Riders vs. San Francisco Unicorns | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 3 | June 19 | Seattle Orcas vs. Washington Freedom | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 4 | June 20 | Texas Super Kings vs. San Francisco Unicorns | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 5 | June 20 | Washington Freedom vs. MI New York | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 6 | June 21 | Seattle Orcas vs. Los Angeles Knight Riders | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 7 | June 21 | Texas Super Kings vs. MI New York | Grand Prairie Stadium |
Round 2: The California Swing (Oakland Coliseum, CA)
The tournament then shifts to the West Coast for a massive stretch of matches at the historic Oakland Coliseum.
| Match | Date (Local) | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | June 24 | San Francisco Unicorns vs. Texas Super Kings | Oakland Coliseum |
| 9 | June 25 | Washington Freedom vs. Seattle Orcas | Oakland Coliseum |
| 10 | June 26 | MI New York vs. Texas Super Kings | Oakland Coliseum |
| 11 | June 26 | San Francisco Unicorns vs. Seattle Orcas | Oakland Coliseum |
| 12 | June 27 | MI New York vs. Los Angeles Knight Riders | Oakland Coliseum |
| 13 | June 27 | Washington Freedom vs. Texas Super Kings | Oakland Coliseum |
| 14 | June 28 | Los Angeles Knight Riders vs. Seattle Orcas | Oakland Coliseum |
| 15 | June 28 | San Francisco Unicorns vs. Washington Freedom | Oakland Coliseum |
Round 3: The Pomona Debut (Knight Riders Cricket Field, CA)
The brand-new Knight Riders Cricket Field gets its first taste of MLC action with a concentrated, high-stakes cluster of games.
| Match | Date (Local) | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | July 1 | Los Angeles Knight Riders vs. Washington Freedom | Knight Riders Cricket Field |
| 17 | July 2 | Seattle Orcas vs. MI New York | Knight Riders Cricket Field |
| 18 | July 3 | Los Angeles Knight Riders vs. Texas Super Kings | Knight Riders Cricket Field |
| 19 | July 4 | Washington Freedom vs. San Francisco Unicorns | Knight Riders Cricket Field |
| 20 | July 4 | Los Angeles Knight Riders vs. MI New York | Knight Riders Cricket Field |
| 21 | July 5 | Seattle Orcas vs. Texas Super Kings | Knight Riders Cricket Field |
| 22 | July 5 | San Francisco Unicorns vs. MI New York | Knight Riders Cricket Field |
Round 4: The Final Push (Grand Prairie Stadium, TX)
Teams head back to Dallas to secure their spots in the top four before the playoffs begin.
| Match | Date (Local) | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | July 8 | MI New York vs. San Francisco Unicorns | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 24 | July 9 | Washington Freedom vs. Los Angeles Knight Riders | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 25 | July 10 | MI New York vs. Seattle Orcas | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 26 | July 10 | San Francisco Unicorns vs. Los Angeles Knight Riders | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 27 | July 11 | Texas Super Kings vs. Washington Freedom | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 28 | July 11 | Seattle Orcas vs. San Francisco Unicorns | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 29 | July 12 | MI New York vs. Washington Freedom | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 30 | July 12 | Texas Super Kings vs. Los Angeles Knight Riders | Grand Prairie Stadium |
The Playoffs (Oakland Coliseum, CA)
The top four teams on the points table will travel back to Oakland for the crunch phase of the tournament. The playoff structure follows the traditional IPL-style format, rewarding the top two teams with an extra shot at the final.
| Match | Date (Local) | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | July 15 | Qualifier (1st Place vs. 2nd Place) | Oakland Coliseum |
| 32 | July 15 | Eliminator (3rd Place vs. 4th Place) | Oakland Coliseum |
| 33 | July 16 | Challenger (Loser of Qualifier vs. Winner of Eliminator) | Oakland Coliseum |
| 34 | July 18 | MLC 2026 Final (Winner Q vs. Winner C) | Oakland Coliseum |
Writer’s Takeaway: What to Watch For?
This schedule is brilliantly structured to avoid clashes with other major global T20 leagues, meaning we are going to see prime international superstars rubbing shoulders with top domestic USA talent. The addition of the Oakland Coliseum is a massive leap for American cricket infrastructure, and the final taking place there on July 18 promises an electric atmosphere.
Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready for a month of spectacular hitting, flying stumps, and top-tier T20 entertainment!
