By Tim Douglas 
Major League Cricket (MLC) has announced that its fourth season will run from June 18 to July 18, 2026, following a historic third edition that shattered records on and off the field.
Season 3 Breaks Records
Launched in 2023, MLC has quickly become a cornerstone of U.S. cricket. Season 3 delivered the league’s most successful campaign yet, highlighted by a 53% increase in ticket sales, three consecutive sold-out Championship Finals, and a global broadcast reach of more than 54 million households across 90+ countries.
The league also recorded a 45% surge in social following, generating over 400 million impressions across digital platforms. Remarkably, 84% of ticket buyers in Season 3 were first-time attendees, underlining the league’s growing ability to attract new fans to cricket in America.
On-Field Drama
Season 3 wasn’t short on thrills. A last-ball final in Grand Prairie saw MI New York edge Washington Freedom by five runs, clinching a second title in three years.
The tournament produced 18 team totals of 200+, seven centuries, and five last-ball finishes. USA skipper Monank Patel topped the run-scoring charts with 478 runs, while young American bowler Rushil Ugarkar made headlines by dismissing Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Maxwell in the final, holding his nerve to concede just six runs in the last over.
Investment and Infrastructure
Behind the scenes, MLC’s owners, American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), confirmed that their cumulative investment in U.S. cricket has now exceeded $150 million. The next phase targets 10 international-standard cricket venues by 2030, alongside expanded player pathways and training facilities.
ACE has already spearheaded projects such as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA, the launch of Minor League Cricket, and venue development across key markets.
MLC Season 4 Outlook
MLC Season 4 will feature six teams and 34 matches. With investment continuing and new venues planned nationwide, CEO Johnny Grave emphasized that the league is delivering on its promise:
“Season 3 showed that demand for top-tier cricket in the U.S. is real and accelerating. 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.”
With record-breaking momentum and greater investment ahead, MLC 2026 promises to take American cricket to new heights.
Zainab Shafiq