Minor League Cricket Announces 2026 Season, Set to Bring 62 Matches Across the United States

USA

Minor League Cricket Announces 2026 Season, Set to Bring 62 Matches Across the United States: Minor League Cricket (MiLC) is set to return for its 2026 season on September 17, promising another action-packed campaign that will take competitive cricket to communities across the United States.

The 2026 season will feature 62 matches across eight venues, with teams and players from around the country competing during a regular season running from September 17 through September 27.

Following the regular season, the league will take a scheduled break before returning for its decisive postseason. The MiLC Playoffs and Championship Final will be held from October 21–25 at the Prairie View Cricket Complex (PVCC) in Houston, Texas.

Calendar Designed Around International Cricket

The break between the regular season and playoffs has been deliberately incorporated into the schedule to accommodate other major cricket commitments.

MiLC players will have the opportunity to participate in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, as well as the Atlanta Open during the intervening period.

League officials said the scheduling approach is designed to allow leading players to represent their countries and compete in other important domestic events without creating unnecessary conflicts with the final stages of the MiLC season.

The 2026 opening date has also been moved from the previously announced August 7 start to September 17. The revised schedule is intended to provide a more focused and operationally efficient season while allowing teams, venues and broadcast operations to align effectively.

Cricket Expands to More American Venues

Matches will be staged at eight venues across the country, further expanding the footprint of professional and high-level cricket in the United States.

Among the featured grounds are Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina; Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas; and the newly opened Knight Riders Cricket Ground in California.

The growing network of facilities reflects the increasing investment in cricket infrastructure across the country as the sport continues to build momentum among both established cricket communities and new American audiences.

Divisional Drafts Set the Stage for 2026

The road to the new season began with the MiLC Divisional Drafts on August 28, conducted on a staggered schedule across the league’s divisions.

The drafts continue the league’s traditional snake format, with the lowest-ranked teams from the 2025 season receiving the first selections in their respective divisions.

Teams that chose to pass during the divisional draft can subsequently add eligible players as free agents, subject to league roster regulations. Each team will maintain a roster of 14 to 18 players.

Draft results are expected to be announced within 24 hours of each division completing its selections.

All Stars Dallas Joins the 2026 Season

The upcoming campaign will also feature a change in team ownership and identity.

All Stars Dallas, formerly known as Kings XI Dallas, will enter the 2026 season under new ownership. The rebranded franchise represents another development in MiLC’s continuing efforts to strengthen its franchise structure and create opportunities for players to compete at a high level of domestic cricket.

Building the Future of American Cricket

Minor League Cricket has become an important component of the development pathway for cricket in the United States, providing competitive opportunities for players while bringing professional-level cricket closer to local communities.

One of the league’s distinctive features is its accessibility for fans. Regular-season MiLC matches will once again be free to attend, allowing cricket supporters and newcomers alike to experience live cricket without the cost barrier associated with many professional sporting events.

For fans unable to attend matches in person, games will be available through the MLC Network, giving audiences in the United States and internationally an opportunity to follow the season.

The complete 2026 schedule, team rosters, live scores, match scorecards and competition updates will be available through Minor League Cricket’s official platforms.

A Growing American Cricket Ecosystem

The 2026 MiLC season comes at a significant time for American cricket. With the sport expanding its infrastructure, franchise system and player development pathways, competitions such as MiLC are playing an increasingly important role in creating a sustainable domestic cricket ecosystem.

American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), which operates the league, has acknowledged the contribution of players, teams, owners, venues, volunteers, partners and cricket communities whose efforts continue to support the competition.

With the first ball of the regular season scheduled for September 17 and the championship to be decided in Houston in October, MiLC 2026 is poised to provide another major chapter in the growth of cricket across America.