MI New York Crowned 2025 MLC Champions

MI New York celebrate beating Washington Freedom by 5 runs to win the 2025 MLC title. (Sportzpics)

Major League Cricket (MLC) returns for its fourth edition on June 18 with the same number of teams as last time, but introduces Knight Riders Cricket Field in California as the third venue with the LA Olympics two years away. Before the fourth season begins, here's a quick Q&A to bring our readers up to speed on the tournament.

Q. Catch me up. What is the MLC? MLC, or Major League Cricket, is the T20 league played in the USA. Organised by the American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) and sanctioned by the USA Cricket, it was founded in 2023 after receiving recognition from the ICC. The 2023 season was played over three weeks and at two venues. It expanded to three venues last season.

MI New York are two-time champions (2023 and 2025) with Washington Freedom winning the title in 2024.

Q. When does MLC 2026 begin? The fourth MLC season begins on June 18 (June 19 in Indian time zone) and runs until July 18 (July 19 in Indian time zone). Once again, there will be 34 matches - 30 league stage and four playoff contests.

Q. Which teams will play in the 2026 MLC? Who are the defending champions?

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

There are six teams this season -- same as last time -- 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 Washington Freedom in the final.

Q. Where will the matches take place? Once again three venues will be used during the MLC. Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, Oakland Coliseum in California, and Knight Riders Cricket Field in California will host the matches. The Knight Riders Cricket Field replaces the Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. The Oakland Coliseum, which hosted its first set of matches last season, will also be the venue for the playoffs and the final.

Q. Is there an IPL connection? Yes. Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York and Texas Super Kings have obvious connection with Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, respectively. Apart from these three, Seattle Orcas are owned by the GMR Group, the co-owners of 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 add this season is ex-India spinner R Ashwin who has joined the San Francisco Unicorns. He is the first former India player to link up with the MLC. Ashwin, who retired from India colours in 2024, will play his first T20 competition outside of IPL. He had signed up to play the 2025-26 Big Bash League (BBL) but was ruled out because of a knee injury.

Q. Who are the other headline acts in MLC 2026? LAKR: Alex Hales, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Unmukt Chand MINY: Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Trent Boult, Romario Shepherd, Monank Patel Unicorns: Matt Short, Finn Allen, Cooper Connolly, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Haris Rauf, Sanjay Krishnamurthi Seattle Orcas: Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Tanveer Sangha, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman, Dasun Shanaka Texas Super Kings: Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira, Rilee Rossouw, Adam Milne, Keshav Maharaj Washington Freedom: Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, Rachin Ravindra, Saurabh Netravalkar.

Q. What is the format for MLC 2026? Like most other T20 franchise leagues, the top four teams after 30 round robin matches will qualify for the playoffs. The second stage of the competition will be played at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. The first qualifier will be played between the top two sides. The Eliminator will feature the third and fourth ranked teams. The losing team of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator will contest the 'Challenger' (called "Qualifier 2" in the IPL). The final, scheduled to be played on July 18, will be between the winner of Qualifier and the Challenger.