When is MLC 2023? Start date, format, TV and stream details for new Major League Cricket T20 league in USA

07-04-2023
6 min read
(Getty Images)

The inaugural season of the Major League Cricket (MLC) is all set to bring cricket to the USA.

The MLC debuts in North America as part of a T20 franchise cricket landscape that has no shortage of iconic leagues, such as the Indian Premier League, The Hundred, Big Bash League, and many more. 

The advent of professional cricket in the USA is seen as crucial to accelerating the sport’s mainstream popularity in a nation that might ordinarily think of it as niche.

The MLC has been sanctioned by USA Cricket, the official governing body for cricket in the USA, and will be operated by American Cricket Enterprises. 

Here's all the details on the new competition and when it gets underway.

MORE: Bet on all the latest cricket action (selected territories only) 

Major League Cricket start date: When is MLC 2023?

The MLC begins on July 13 and will have six teams participating in an 18-game tournament, leading to the final championship game on July 30. 

The Grand Prairie stadium in Texas and Church Street Park in North Carolina will host the games and the final will be played in Texas. 

Which teams are playing in MLC 2023?

The inaugural edition will see six teams fighting for the coveted championship title. Four of those teams are owned by Indian T20 league franchises. 

Team

Owners

Los Angeles Knight Riders 

Knight Riders Group

MI New York

Mumbai Indians

San Francisco Unicorns

Cricket Victoria

Seattle Orcas

GMR Group (co-owners of the Delhi Capitals)

Texas Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings

MLC 2023 Schedule

Date & Time

Game

Venue

07/13/2023, 07:30 PM CDT

Texas Super Kings vs Los Angeles Knight Riders

 

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

07/14/2023, 03:30 PM CDT

MI New York vs San Francisco Unicorns

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

07/14/2023, 07:30 PM CDT

Seattle Orcas vs Washington Freedom

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

07/15/2023, 07:30 PM CDT

San Francisco Unicorns

vs Seattle Orcas

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

07/16/2023, 03:30 PM CDT

Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

07/16/2023, 07:30 PM CDT

Los Angeles Knight Riders

vs MI New York

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

07/17/2023, 07:30 PM CDT

Texas Super Kings vs MI New York

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

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07/18/2023, 07:30 PM CDT

Los Angeles Knight Riders vs San Francisco Unicorns

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

07/20/2023, 05:30 PM EDT

Washington Freedom vs Los Angeles Knight Riders

Church Street Park, Morrisville, NC

07/21/2023, 05:30 PM EDT

Seattle Orcas vs Texas Super Kings

Church Street Park, Morrisville, NC

07/22/2023, 05:30 PM EDT

Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns

Church Street Park, Morrisville, NC

07/23/2023, 01:30 PM EDT

Los Angeles Knight Riders vs Seattle Orcas

Church Street Park, Morrisville, NC

07/23/2023, 05:30 PM EDT

MI New York vs Washington Freedom

Church Street Park, Morrisville, NC

07/24/2023, 05:30 PM EDT

San Francisco Unicorns vs Texas Super Kings

Church Street Park, Morrisville, NC

07/25/2023, 05:30 PM EDT

MI New York vs Seattle Orcas

Church Street Park, Morrisville, NC

What is the format of MLC 2023?

After playing in a round-robin format against each other, the top four teams will qualify for the playoffs, which will include the Eliminator, Qualifier, Challenger, and the Final. 

Every team can include a maximum of 19 and a minimum of 16 players on its squad. To help promote cricket in the USA and develop future generations of American players, each roster will need to have one domestic Under-23 rookie player. 

On its complete roster, each team may have nine international players. However, along with five domestic players, no more than six players will be allowed in the playing XI. 

When are the MLC 2023  playoffs?

Date & Time

Game

Venue

07/27/2023, 03:30 PM CDT

Seed 3 vs Seed 4

 

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

07/27/2023, 07:30 PM CDT

Seed 1 vs Seed 2

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

07/28/2023, 07:30 PM CDT

Loser Qualifier vs Winner Eliminator

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

07/30/2023, 07:30 PM CDT

Winner Qualifier vs Winner Challenger

Grand Prairie Stadium, TX

Where to watch and stream MLC 2023 online

You can watch all the action from MLC 2023 on TV and online in the below territories:

Country

TV Channel

Stream

USA/Canada   Willow TV app and website, Sling TV

India

Sports 18 1SD and Sports 18 1HD TV

JioCinema app and website