MLC Targets Global Expansion with New Teams and International Fixtures

Major League Cricket Sets Sights on Global Growth

Major League Cricket (MLC), America's premier professional Twenty20 cricket league, is embarking on an ambitious global expansion strategy that aims to transform the sport's landscape in the United States and beyond. Following a successful third season in 2025, the league has announced plans to expand from its current six teams to ten franchises while significantly increasing its international footprint.

Expansion Plans and New Franchises

MLC officials have confirmed their intention to grow the league to ten teams in the coming years, with initial expansion to eight franchises planned before reaching the ten-team target. The league, which currently features teams in Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C., is actively exploring new markets including potential expansion cities such as Chicago, Atlanta, and additional West Coast locations.

"We're not here to play a league and go away every year," stated MLC leadership. "We feel like it is our role to build the infrastructure for cricket in the US. MLC is the means to an end, if you will. I think 10 years from now, you'll see a very different landscape for cricket in the US."

Venue Expansion and Infrastructure Development

The 2025 season marked significant venue expansion with matches being played at three primary locations: Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, Central Broward Park in Florida, and the historic Oakland Coliseum in California. This represents a major step forward from the league's inaugural season in 2023 when matches were primarily concentrated at Grand Prairie Stadium.

The league has invested over $110 million in stadium development and renovation projects, with plans to build permanent cricket-specific venues in multiple cities. These facilities are designed to accommodate between 6,000-20,000 spectators and feature world-class cricket infrastructure.

International Partnerships and Global Ambitions

MLC has formed strategic partnerships with international cricket boards, most notably with New Zealand Cricket to establish a new franchise by 2027. This international collaboration represents a significant step in MLC's global strategy and demonstrates the league's commitment to becoming a major player in the international cricket ecosystem.

The league has also attracted substantial international investment, including backing from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Ross Perot Jr., and various IPL franchise owners who have invested in MLC teams. This financial backing has enabled the league to compete for top international talent and build sustainable infrastructure.

Broadcast and Media Expansion

MLC's media footprint has expanded significantly, with matches now broadcast across multiple platforms including Willow TV, regional sports networks like YES Network (MI New York), Monumental Sports Network (Washington Freedom), and NBC Sports Bay Area/California (San Francisco Unicorns). Internationally, the league has secured broadcasting deals with TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland, ARY in Pakistan, and Prime Video in Australia and New Zealand.

Player Development and Talent Acquisition

The league has successfully attracted top international stars including Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Faf du Plessis, Trent Boult, and Nicholas Pooran. These high-profile signings have helped raise the league's profile and competitive standard while providing American cricket fans with world-class entertainment.

MLC also oversees Minor League Cricket (MiLC), a developmental league with 26 franchise-based teams that serves as a pathway for American players to progress to the professional level. The league has implemented youth development programs and player pathways to nurture domestic talent.

Season Format and Scheduling

For the 2025 season, MLC expanded from 19 games to 34 matches and moved its opening to early June to avoid scheduling conflicts with other major cricket leagues, particularly England's The Hundred. This strategic scheduling allows the league to attract international players who might otherwise be unavailable due to overlapping commitments.

Future Outlook and Challenges

Despite its rapid growth, MLC faces several challenges including the need to develop more permanent stadium infrastructure, grow its domestic player pool, and increase mainstream American awareness of cricket. However, with the United States set to co-host the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup and positioned to host the 2031 Men's and 2033 Women's Rugby World Cups, the timing appears favorable for cricket's growth in America.

MLC's expansion plans represent a bold vision for cricket's future in the United States and signal the league's ambition to become a major force in global cricket. With strong financial backing, strategic international partnerships, and a clear growth roadmap, Major League Cricket appears poised to transform America's sporting landscape in the years ahead.