Major League Cricket 2024: Everything You Need to Know
Cricket fans in the United States have much to look forward to this summer with the return of Major League Cricket (MLC) for its second season. Scheduled from July 5 to 28, 2024, this year’s tournament promises to be even more thrilling than its inaugural edition.
The competition will be hosted across two key venues: Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina, and Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas.
Cognizant Major League Cricket is ready to unleash season two! ✊ Schedule coming soon, register via the link below to get the latest news. https://t.co/ub7azkGmvf#MLC2024 #CognizantMajorLeagueCricket #T20 pic.twitter.com/bn4Jmt03Wk
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) May 1, 2024
Here’s an in-depth look at everything you need to know about MLC 2024.
Major League Cricket 2024: Dates and Schedule
Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 is set to deliver a summer filled with exciting cricket action from July 5 to 28, 2024. Here’s a detailed schedule of the matches, including dates and times in a clear and concise format.
Major League Cricket 2024 Full Schedule:
MLC 2024 Group Stage Matches
July 6 (Saturday)
- Seattle Orcas vs. MI New York
- Time: 1:00 AM IST
- Venue: Church Street Park
- LA Knight Riders vs. Texas Super Kings
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 7 (Sunday)
- MI New York vs. Washington Freedom
- Time: 12:30 AM IST
- Venue: Church Street Park
July 8 (Monday)
- LA Knight Riders vs. San Francisco Unicorns
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 9 (Tuesday)
- Texas Super Kings vs. Washington Freedom
- Time: 1:00 AM IST
- Venue: Church Street Park
July 10 (Wednesday)
- Seattle Orcas vs. LA Knight Riders
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 11 (Thursday)
- Texas Super Kings vs. San Francisco Unicorns
- Time: 12:30 AM IST
- Venue: Church Street Park
July 12 (Friday)
- Washington Freedom vs. Seattle Orcas
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 13 (Saturday)
- Texas Super Kings vs. MI New York
- Time: 12:30 AM IST
- Venue: Church Street Park
July 14 (Sunday)
- San Francisco Unicorns vs. LA Knight Riders
- Time: 12:30 AM IST
- Venue: Church Street Park
July 15 (Monday)
- LA Knight Riders vs. Washington Freedom
- Time: 1:00 AM IST
- Venue: Church Street Park
- MI New York vs. Texas Super Kings
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 16 (Tuesday)
- San Francisco Unicorns vs. Seattle Orcas
- Time: 1:00 AM IST
- Venue: Church Street Park
July 17 (Wednesday)
- Washington Freedom vs. MI New York
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 18 (Thursday)
- LA Knight Riders vs. Seattle Orcas
- Time: 12:30 AM IST
- Venue: Church Street Park
July 19 (Friday)
- San Francisco Unicorns vs. MI New York
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 20 (Saturday)
- Washington Freedom vs. Texas Super Kings
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 21 (Sunday)
- Seattle Orcas vs. San Francisco Unicorns
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 22 (Monday)
- MI New York vs. LA Knight Riders
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 23 (Tuesday)
- Washington Freedom vs. San Francisco Unicorns
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
July 24 (Wednesday)
- Seattle Orcas vs. Texas Super Kings
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
Major League Cricket 2024 Playoff Matches
Eliminator
- Date: July 25 (Thursday)
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Teams: Seed 3 vs. Seed 4
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
Qualifier
- Date: July 26 (Friday)
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Teams: Seed 1 vs. Seed 2
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
Challenger
- Date: July 27 (Saturday)
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Teams: Loser of Qualifier vs. Winner of Eliminator
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
Final
- Date: July 29 (Monday)
- Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Teams: Winner of Qualifier vs. Winner of Challenger
- Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium
This schedule ensures that cricket enthusiasts have ample opportunity to witness high-octane T20 action, with matches thoughtfully spread across prime times for maximum viewership. Be sure to mark your calendars for what promises to be an electrifying season of Major League Cricket!
Major League Cricket List A Status
Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA has earned List A status from the ICC, making it an official T20 league. This recognition highlights the tournament’s high standards and the quality of players involved, as noted by tournament director Justin Geale. The upgrade enhances MLC’s credibility, reflecting the performances of world-class players in official statistics.
Scheduled to start on July 5, 2024, just after the T20 World Cup, MLC plans to expand from six to ten teams, aiming for 34 games by 2025. This move is pivotal for cricket’s growth in the US, showcasing its potential in a non-traditional market.
Major League Cricket 2024 Full Teams
Six teams will compete in the 2024 edition of MLC, with four of them owned by franchises of the IPL. The teams are:
- MI New York: Owned by Mumbai Indians, the defending champions are led by West Indian powerhouse Kieron Pollard. They boast a strong roster, including several top international players.
- Seattle Orcas: Linked with the Delhi Capitals, the Orcas have South African stars Wayne Parnell and Quinton de Kock in their lineup.
- Texas Super Kings: Associated with Chennai Super Kings, this team is captained by South African veteran Faf du Plessis.
- LA Knight Riders: Owned by the Kolkata Knight Riders, they feature the formidable West Indian off-spinner Sunil Narine.
- San Francisco Unicorns: This team includes New Zealand’s explosive opener Finn Allen and other international talents.
- Washington Freedom: Coached by Australian legend Ricky Ponting, they have a strong Australian presence with Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Travis Head.
Major League Cricket 10 teams expansion
The Major League Cricket (MLC) is gearing up for a significant expansion, eyeing a transition to a 10-team setup. With a strong foothold established in its debut season, the MLC is set to add two more teams to its roster within the next few seasons. This expansion signals a promising trajectory for the league, promising a more extensive pool of talent and increased competition.
The move also aligns with the league’s ambition to carve out a more prominent space for itself in the cricketing calendar, potentially rivalling established competitions like the IPL and the Hundred.
Major League Cricket 2024 Format:
The six teams will play a total of 21 matches in a round-robin format. Each team will face every other team once during the league phase. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, which include an IPL-style eliminator and qualifier system. The final will be held at Grand Prairie Stadium on July 29.
Major League Cricket 2024 Venues:
Church Street Park, North Carolina
Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina, is one of the primary venues for MLC 2024. Known for its excellent facilities and picturesque setting, it will host several key matches, including the season opener.
Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas
Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas is the other main venue. It boasts a large capacity and state-of-the-art infrastructure, making it an ideal location for high-stakes cricket matches. This stadium will host the final and the majority of the playoff games.
Major League Cricket 2024 promises to be an exciting and landmark season for cricket in the United States. With its official recognition, expanded schedule, and star-studded lineups, the tournament is set to captivate fans and elevate the standard of domestic T20 cricket in America.
As teams gear up for intense competition and fans eagerly await the action, MLC 2024 is poised to deliver a summer of unforgettable cricket moments.
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