Major League Cricket has moved well beyond being an experimental T20 league. In just a few seasons, it has attracted global stars, significant investment from IPL franchise owners, and growing interest from cricket fans across North America. The 2026 season reflects that progress, with six competitive franchises featuring international superstars alongside emerging American talent. Whether you’re following MLC for the first time or tracking your favorite team throughout the tournament, knowing each franchise’s ownership, squad composition, and home venue adds valuable context to every match.
This guide provides a detailed overview of all Major League Cricket 2026 teams, including their owners, home grounds, and complete squad information.
Quick Summary
- Tournament: Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026
- Number of Teams: 6
- Format: Twenty20 Franchise League
- Country: United States
- Governing Body: USA Cricket
- Defending Champions: Washington Freedom
- Participating Teams:
- Washington Freedom
- San Francisco Unicorns
- Texas Super Kings
- MI New York
- Seattle Orcas
- Los Angeles Knight Riders
Major League Cricket 2026 Teams at a Glance
| Team | Owner | Home Ground |
| Washington Freedom | Freedom Cricket LLC (supported by Sanjay Govil) | Grand Prairie Stadium (Texas) / Washington, D.C. market |
| San Francisco Unicorns | Anand Rajaraman, Venky Harinarayan & Silicon Valley investors | Oakland Coliseum, California |
| Texas Super Kings | Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd. (India Cements) & Ross Perot Jr. | Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas |
| MI New York | Indiawin Sports (Reliance Industries) | Broward County Stadium, Florida |
| Seattle Orcas | GMR Group, Satya Nadella, Soma Somasegar and partners | Seattle region (planned), matches currently hosted in Texas and California |
| Los Angeles Knight Riders | Knight Riders Group (Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla & Jay Mehta) | Great Park Cricket Stadium, California |
Washington Freedom
Franchise Overview
Washington Freedom have quickly established themselves as one of Major League Cricket’s benchmark franchises. After lifting the championship in the previous season, they entered MLC 2026 carrying the confidence of a balanced squad built around experienced international players and promising American cricketers.
The franchise places significant emphasis on aggressive batting, disciplined pace bowling, and strong leadership, making them one of the tournament favourites.
Owner
Freedom Cricket LLC (led by entrepreneur Sanjay Govil)
Captain: Glenn Maxwell
Head Coach: Ricky Ponting
Home Ground
Grand Prairie Stadium (primary venue) while representing the Washington D.C. region.
Washington Freedom 2026 Squad
| Batters | All-rounders | Bowlers |
| Glenn Maxwell (C) | Glenn Phillips | Lockie Ferguson |
| Rachin Ravindra | Jack Edwards | Saurabh Netravalkar |
| Andries Gous | Obus Pienaar | Ben Sears |
| Mitchell Owen | Mukhtar Ahmed | Ian Holland |
| Yasir Mohammad | Mark Chapman | Amila Aponso |
| – | Justin Dill | Abhishek Paradkar |
| – | – | Akeal Hosein |
Key Players to Watch
Glenn Maxwell remains the heartbeat of the side. His explosive batting, tactical captaincy, and ability to contribute with off-spin make him one of the most valuable players in franchise cricket.
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra provides flexibility at the top of the order, while Lockie Ferguson and Saurabh Netravalkar lead a potent pace attack capable of exploiting American conditions.
San Francisco Unicorns
Franchise Overview
The San Francisco Unicorns have consistently built their identity around fearless cricket. Rather than relying on a few superstar names, the franchise has assembled a balanced squad featuring dynamic overseas players and talented domestic prospects.
Their aggressive batting philosophy has made them one of the most entertaining teams in the competition.
Owner
Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Anand Rajaraman, Venky Harinarayan, and investment partners.
Captain: Corey Anderson
Head Coach: Shane Watson
Home Ground
Oakland Coliseum, California
San Francisco Unicorns 2026 Squad
| Batters | All-rounders | Bowlers |
| Finn Allen | Corey Anderson (C) | Haris Rauf |
| Jake Fraser-McGurk | Hassan Khan | Xavier Bartlett |
| Matthew Short | Romario Shepherd | Liam Plunkett |
| Tim Seifert | Sanjay Krishnamurthi | Brody Couch |
| Cooper Connolly | Hammad Azam | Karima Gore |
| Jahmar Hamilton | – | Carmi le Roux |
| – | – | Rushil Ugarkar |
Key Players to Watch
Finn Allen remains one of the world’s most destructive powerplay batters, while Australian youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk adds another explosive dimension to the top order.
Fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Xavier Bartlett provide genuine wicket-taking ability, giving the Unicorns one of the strongest pace attacks in the tournament.
Seattle Orcas
Franchise Overview
After experiencing inconsistent campaigns in recent seasons, the Seattle Orcas have refreshed their squad with a stronger mix of experienced international stars and talented American players.
The management has focused on improving batting depth while strengthening the pace department, making the Orcas genuine playoff contenders in 2026.
Owner
GMR Group, Satya Nadella, Soma Somasegar and investment partners.
Captain: Heinrich Klaasen
Head Coach: Matthew Mott
Home Ground
Seattle metropolitan region (future permanent venue), with home fixtures currently scheduled at Grand Prairie Stadium and Oakland Coliseum.
Seattle Orcas 2026 Squad
| Batters | All-rounders | Bowlers |
| Heinrich Klaasen (C) | Sikandar Raza | Obed McCoy |
| Kyle Mayers | Aaron Jones | Fazalhaq Farooqi |
| Shayan Jahangir | Steven Taylor | Cameron Gannon |
| David Warner | Sujit Nayak | Harmeet Singh |
| Steven Taylor | Jasdeep Singh | Waqar Salamkheil |
| – | – | Nandre Burger |
Key Players to Watch
South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen is among the most dangerous T20 batters in world cricket, especially against spin.
The addition of David Warner brings invaluable leadership and experience, while Fazalhaq Farooqi, Obed McCoy, and Nandre Burger provide left-arm pace options capable of troubling even the strongest batting line-ups.
Texas Super Kings
Franchise Overview
The Texas Super Kings (TSK) are one of the strongest and most recognizable franchises in Major League Cricket, thanks to their close association with the Chennai Super Kings brand. Built around consistency, experienced leadership, and smart recruitment, TSK have remained genuine title contenders since the league’s inaugural season.
Their squad blends proven international match-winners with emerging American cricketers, making them one of the most balanced teams in MLC 2026.
Owner: Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd. (India Cements) in partnership with Ross Perot Jr.
Captain: Faf du Plessis
Head Coach: Stephen Fleming
Home Ground: Grand Prairie Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas
Texas Super Kings 2026 Squad
| Batters | All-rounders | Bowlers |
| Faf du Plessis (C) | Marcus Stoinis | Noor Ahmad |
| Devon Conway | Calvin Savage | Adam Milne |
| Saiteja Mukkamalla | Donovan Ferreira | Zia-ul-Haq |
| Milind Kumar | Mohammad Mohsin | Nandre Burger |
| Joshua Tromp | Daryl Mitchell | Akeal Hosein |
| Smit Patel | Shubham Ranjane | Cameron Stevenson |
| – | – | Stephen Wiig |
Key Players to Watch
The experienced opening pair of Faf du Plessis and Devon Conway provides stability at the top, while Marcus Stoinis and Daryl Mitchell add finishing power and medium-pace options.
Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad remains TSK’s biggest wicket-taking weapon during the middle overs, with Adam Milne leading the pace attack.
Team Strengths
- Experienced leadership
- Strong overseas core
- Excellent spin resources
- Reliable opening partnership
- Tactical coaching under Stephen Fleming
MI New York
Franchise Overview
As part of the global Mumbai Indians network, MI New York have quickly established themselves as one of Major League Cricket’s premier franchises. The team combines explosive batting with experienced all-rounders and quality fast bowling.
The franchise continues to benefit from Mumbai Indians’ successful player-development model and professional management structure.
Owner: Indiawin Sports (Reliance Industries)
Captain: Nicholas Pooran
Head Coach: Robin Peterson
Home Ground: Marine Park Cricket Stadium (planned), New York
(Current MLC matches are played at designated league venues.)
MI New York 2026 Squad
| Batters | All-rounders | Bowlers |
| Nicholas Pooran (C) | Kieron Pollard | Trent Boult |
| Quinton de Kock | Michael Bracewell | Naveen-ul-Haq |
| Monank Patel | Romario Shepherd | Nosthush Kenjige |
| Agni Chopra | George Linde | Ehsan Adil |
| Shayan Jahangir | Sunny Patel | Rushil Ugarkar |
| Tajinder Singh | Steven Taylor | Kagiso Rabada |
| – | – | Yasir Mohammad |
Key Players to Watch
Captain Nicholas Pooran remains one of the world’s most destructive T20 batters and recently produced the fastest century in MLC history during the 2026 playoffs
Veterans Kieron Pollard and Quinton de Kock provide immense experience, while Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada form arguably the tournament’s strongest new-ball bowling partnership.
Team Strengths
- Powerful middle order
- Elite fast-bowling attack
- Proven match-winners
- Excellent finishing ability
- Championship-winning franchise culture
Los Angeles Knight Riders
Franchise Overview
The Los Angeles Knight Riders represent one of the biggest cricket brands in the world. Owned by the Knight Riders Group, the franchise benefits from the experience of operating successful teams in multiple global T20 leagues.
The 2026 season has been particularly significant, with LAKR playing home matches at the newly developed Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Pomona, a major step forward for cricket infrastructure in the United States.
Owner: Knight Riders Group
(Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta)
Captain: Jason Holder
Head Coach: Dwayne Bravo
Home Ground: Knight Riders Cricket Ground, Pomona, California
Los Angeles Knight Riders 2026 Squad
| Batters | All-rounders | Bowlers |
| Alex Hales | Andre Russell | Sunil Narine |
| Unmukt Chand | Jason Holder (C) | Ali Khan |
| Rovman Powell | Sherfane Rutherford | Spencer Johnson |
| Nitish Kumar | Saif Badar | Tanveer Sangha |
| Saif Badar | Andre Fletcher | Corné Dry |
| – | Andre Russell | Shadley van Schalkwyk |
| – | – | Ali Sheikh |
Key Players to Watch
Andre Russell remains one of the most dangerous all-rounders in franchise cricket, capable of changing games with both bat and ball.
Captain Jason Holder brings composure and balance, while mystery spinner Sunil Narine continues to be a match-winner in T20 cricket.
LAKR also enjoyed a breakthrough 2026 campaign, reaching their maiden MLC final after defeating the San Francisco Unicorns in Qualifier 1.
Team Strengths
- Explosive finishers
- World-class spin attack
- Exceptional T20 experience
- Strong Caribbean core
- Proven tournament performers
Which Team Looks Strongest in MLC 2026?
Every franchise has built a competitive squad, but a few stand out on paper.
- Washington Freedom possess the most balanced squad, combining aggressive batting with a versatile bowling attack.
- San Francisco Unicorns boast one of the strongest pace units and fearless top-order batters.
- Texas Super Kings rely on experience, tactical discipline, and consistency.
- MI New York arguably have the biggest collection of international superstars, especially in their batting line-up.
- Los Angeles Knight Riders have momentum after reaching their first MLC final in 2026, while Seattle Orcas feature experienced internationals capable of upsetting any opponent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many teams are playing in Major League Cricket 2026?
Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 features six franchise teams representing different regions across the United States. The participating teams are Washington Freedom, San Francisco Unicorns, Texas Super Kings, MI New York, Seattle Orcas, and Los Angeles Knight Riders.
2. Which team is the defending champion of MLC 2026?
Washington Freedom entered the 2026 season as the defending champions after winning the previous edition. Led by Glenn Maxwell and coached by Ricky Ponting, the franchise has established itself as one of the strongest teams in the league.
3. Which MLC franchise has connections with the IPL?
Several MLC teams are backed by IPL franchise owners:
- Texas Super Kings – Chennai Super Kings
- MI New York – Mumbai Indians (Reliance Industries)
- Los Angeles Knight Riders – Kolkata Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group)
These partnerships bring extensive franchise cricket experience, coaching expertise, and global brand recognition to Major League Cricket.
4. Where are Major League Cricket matches played?
MLC 2026 matches are hosted across multiple cricket venues in the United States, including:
- Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas
- Oakland Coliseum, California
- Knight Riders Cricket Ground, Pomona, California
- Additional venues continue to be developed as cricket infrastructure expands across the country.
5. Who are the biggest international stars in MLC 2026?
The 2026 season features several world-renowned cricketers, including:
- Glenn Maxwell
- Nicholas Pooran
- Faf du Plessis
- David Warner
- Finn Allen
- Andre Russell
- Jason Holder
- Sunil Narine
- Quinton de Kock
- Marcus Stoinis
- Trent Boult
- Kagiso Rabada
Their presence has significantly increased the league’s global appeal and competitive standard.
6. Which MLC team has the strongest squad in 2026?
There is no definitive answer, but based on squad depth and recent performances:
- Washington Freedom offers excellent balance across all departments.
- Texas Super Kings combine experience with tactical consistency.
- MI New York boasts one of the strongest collections of international stars.
- Los Angeles Knight Riders have built momentum after reaching the 2026 final.
Ultimately, the strongest team depends on player form, injuries, and performances during the tournament.
Conclusion
Major League Cricket has evolved into far more than a new domestic competition. The 2026 season showcases six professionally managed franchises backed by some of the biggest names in global cricket and business. With IPL-affiliated ownership groups, international superstars, expanding cricket infrastructure, and increasing fan engagement, MLC continues to strengthen its position as one of the fastest-growing T20 leagues in the world.
Whether you support the defending champions Washington Freedom, the consistent Texas Super Kings, the star-studded MI New York, the ambitious Seattle Orcas, the exciting San Francisco Unicorns, or the globally recognized Los Angeles Knight Riders, the 2026 season promises high-quality cricket and fierce competition. As the sport continues to grow across the United States, these franchises are laying the foundation for a bright future for American cricket.
