MLC Fantasy: how to play fantasy for Major League Cricket
Major League Cricket is America's top-flight T20 league, and you can play fantasy for it on US daily fantasy platforms — build a squad under a credit budget, pick a captain and vice-captain, and score live, ball by ball. MLC has no official fantasy game as of July 2026. Runtiva runs free MLC contests in the app now; paid contests open July 23.
What is Major League Cricket?
MLC is the professional T20 league played every summer in the US — the 2026 season runs June 18 to July 18, with all six teams meeting home and away for the first time: 34 matches across Grand Prairie Stadium (Dallas), the Oakland Coliseum, and the new Knight Riders Cricket Field at the Fairplex in Pomona. The playoffs and the July 18 final are at Oakland Coliseum. Four of the six franchises are backed by IPL owners:
- MI New York (Mumbai Indians) — champions in 2023 and 2025
- Washington Freedom — 2024 champions
- Texas Super Kings (Chennai Super Kings)
- LA Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders)
- San Francisco Unicorns and Seattle Orcas
The league is growing fast — 2025 ticket sales rose 53% year over year with a third straight sold-out final, and MLC has said it plans to expand to eight teams by 2027, with Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Toronto among the candidate markets.
How does MLC fantasy work?
The format is the classic one cricket fans know: every player has a price, you assemble a squad under a fixed credit budget, and you nominate a captain (2× points) and vice-captain (1.5×). Batters score for runs, boundaries, and milestones; bowlers for wickets, dot balls, maidens, and economy; fielders for catches, stumpings, and run-outs. Lineups lock at the first ball, and on Runtiva your points update within seconds of every delivery. Read the full format guide in our fantasy cricket hub or the contest rules.
When can you play?
The 2026 playoffs run mid-July, ending with the final at Oakland Coliseum on July 18 — and you can play free MLC contests in the Runtiva app right now. Paid contests with cash prizes open July 23, just after this season wraps, so the founders' waitlist is the move: first access at launch, a free launch-freeroll entry, and a head start on next summer's MLC season.
MLC fantasy strategy basics
- Wait for the toss when you can. Confirmed elevens and the chase/defend split change which bowlers and finishers are worth their price.
- All-rounders are the budget cheat code. Two ways to score per credit spent — in a six-team league with star-heavy squads, they free up budget for premium batters.
- Learn the venues. Grand Prairie, Oakland, and Pomona play differently — check recent match scores at each ground before deciding whether to load up on power hitters or wicket-taking bowlers.
- Captain for ceiling, not comfort. The 2× multiplier decides most contests — an in-form top-three batter or a strike bowler with the new ball usually beats a safe middle-order pick.
How to watch MLC in the US
Willow (by Cricbuzz) carries all 34 matches in the US — available through TV providers and streaming bundles such as Sling and Fubo. Internationally the league airs on Star Sports/JioHotstar (India), Sky Sports (UK), and Seven (Australia). Nothing pairs better with a watch party than a live fantasy leaderboard in the group chat.
Frequently asked questions
Does MLC have an official fantasy game?
As of July 2026, Major League Cricket has no official fantasy game. US fans play MLC fantasy on daily fantasy platforms — Runtiva runs free MLC contests in the app now, with paid contests opening July 23, 2026.
When do MLC fantasy lineups lock?
At the first ball of the match. Build your squad any time before that, and use the toss and confirmed elevens to make your final captain and vice-captain calls.
Can I play MLC fantasy for real money right now?
This season's final is July 18 and paid contests open July 23, so this season is free-play only. Join the founders' waitlist for first access at launch and a free entry into the launch freeroll.
Which teams play in MLC?
Six franchises: MI New York, Texas Super Kings, LA Knight Riders, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, and Washington Freedom. The league has said it plans to expand to eight teams by 2027.