MLC 2026 Season Set to Launch June 18 Amid USA Cricket Governance Concerns

Major League Cricket (MLC) has confirmed that its fourth season will run from June 18 to July 18, 2026, continuing with the same month-long June-July window adopted in 2025. The league will once again feature 34 matches involving six teams, timed to avoid clashes with major global competitions such as The Hundred.

This announcement comes at a time of renewed public tension between MLC's owners, American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), and USA Cricket (USAC), which recently sent and then withdrew a termination notice of its 50-year commercial agreement with ACE.

MLC's decision to confirm dates almost a year in advance follows encouraging numbers from its recently concluded third season, which saw ticket sales rise 53% year-on-year and a 45% increase in social media following. The season also expanded MLC's footprint by staging games at the Oakland Coliseum.

"Season 3 showed that demand for top-tier cricket in the USA is real and accelerating," said MLC chief executive Johnny Grave. "We're continuing to build our fan base and provide more access to the game across the country."

Alongside the competition dates, ACE has reiterated its commitment to infrastructure investment, with over $150 million already spent and a target of building ten international-standard venues by 2030.

One of the centerpiece projects remains the proposed Olympic cricket venue in Los Angeles, where Knight Riders, owners of the Los Angeles franchise, are expected to become anchor tenants. Plans include a 8,000-seat stadium with practice facilities and floodlights, potentially ready to host MLC matches as early as 2026 or 2027.

The clarity from MLC stands in contrast to continuing uncertainty around USAC's governance. The ICC has given USAC a three-month window to conduct overdue board elections and address compliance issues following repeated concerns over its operations and communication.

The governance situation is likely to be in focus again this week, with ICC chair Jay Shah scheduled to meet ACE officials and USAC chair Venu Pisike separately on September 9 and 10 during his visit to the United States.

By announcing its schedule well in advance, MLC appears to be signaling its intent to provide structure and predictability for players, fans, and commercial partners, something that stakeholders have long asked of USAC administrators in the country.