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.
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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 Scroll to Continue with Content |
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 |