MLC has officially announced the dates for its fourth season, June 18 to July 18, 2026. The T20 tournament will include six teams and is once again comprised of 34 matches using the same format that was introduced in 2025. Although the league's popularity has continued to grow, there are questions around governance issues between USA Cricket (USAC) and American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), who act as the operators of the league. 

The controversy surrounding a contractual dispute between USAC and ACE still makes headlines, as USAC terminated its agreement with ACE, and there are no clear publicly available statements as to if that was put back in place. Corey Anderson, a former New Zealand cricketer and the operational director of the USA Cricketers’ Association, which is not formally recognized by USAC, noted that the vagueness is problematic for player security and for long-term planning, particularly since the MLC is becoming an important outlet for domestic talent.

From its foundation in 2023, MLC has grown in size and attractiveness. The tournament began with 19 matches, then 25 in 2024, before reaching 34 matches by 2025. Moving the league to a June-July window from season three onward will also help avoid potential clashes with other global franchise leagues, enabling MLC to attract a larger pool of international players.

Expansion Plans and Future Outlook

Johnny Grave, MLC’s Chief Executive, reflected on the league’s success, saying, “Season 3 showed that demand for top-tier cricket in the USA is real and accelerating. MLC is winning new fans, followers, and viewers throughout the USA and around the world. We're delivering on our promise to grow the game across the USA and build relations with new and existing commercial partners.”

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: 'We Will Only Follow Our Plan' – UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem confident ahead of India clash

The league’s ownership group, ACE, has ambitious plans for the future, including building ten international-standard cricket venues across the US by 2030 with an investment of over USD 150 million. The six confirmed teams for the 2026 season are Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Texas Super Kings, and Washington Freedom. Looking ahead, MLC plans to expand to eight teams by 2027, with the potential to extend the competition to Canada under consideration.