Major League Cricket has confirmed that the playoffs for the 2026 season will be staged at the Oakland Coliseum from July 15, with the championship final scheduled for July 18. It will be the first occasion that the league’s post-season matches are held on the United States’ West Coast.
The fourth edition of the tournament will run from June 18 to July 18, starting in Grand Prairie, Texas, before moving to venues in California. The Oakland Coliseum, which proved to be a high-scoring venue during its debut season, is also set to host a series of regular-season matches between June 24 and 28. During that period, all six teams will feature across eight fixtures ahead of the mid-July playoffs.
“The energy our fans have brought to the Championship Final in Grand Prairie the past three years has been incredible, with each one selling out and creating an unforgettable atmosphere for players and supporters alike,” said Johnny Grave, CEO of MLC.
“As our fanbase continues to grow across the country, we’re excited to break new ground and bring that same playoff intensity to the Oakland Coliseum. The Bay Area showed tremendous passion for cricket last summer, and we’re looking forward to welcoming fans for an even bigger celebration of the game with both regular season matches and the MLC Championship Final on the West Coast.”
LA Knight Riders to play home games in Pomona
In another key development for cricket in the United States, the Knight Riders Cricket Field was officially unveiled in Pomona, California. The venue will serve as the permanent home ground for the LA Knight Riders from the upcoming MLC season, with the franchise scheduled to host matches there between July 1 and 5.
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Venky Mysore, CEO of Knight Riders Sports, welcomed the announcement as a significant step for the franchise. “Los Angeles is one of the world’s most dynamic sports markets and an important home for the Knight Riders brand. Establishing the Knight Riders Cricket Field in partnership with Fairplex, is a major milestone for our franchise, and we look forward to a long-term partnership with Fairplex to further establish Cricket in the USA and building the sport,” he said.
Shahrukh Khan, co-owner of Knight Riders Sports, also highlighted the importance of the development. “Over the years, the Knight Riders have grown into a truly global family, and every new milestone is special for us. Seeing the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) have a home of their own with the Knight Riders Cricket is incredibly exciting. The USA is a great sporting market with passionate fans, and we hope this field becomes a place where people come together to celebrate the game and support the team. I’m really looking forward to this new chapter for the Knight Riders in Los Angeles.”
