When Major League Cricket (MLC) launched in 2023, many wondered whether professional franchise cricket could truly thrive in the United States. Fast forward a few seasons, and the league has already produced memorable finals, dramatic finishes, and new champions while attracting some of the biggest names in world cricket.
If you’re searching for the Major League Cricket Winners List, this guide covers every MLC champion from the inaugural season through 2026, along with runners-up, final results, and notable records. (As of now, the 2026 season is still in progress, so the champion has not yet been decided.)
Quick Summary
- MLC began: 2023
- Total completed seasons: 3 (2023–2025)
- Current season: 2026 (ongoing)
- Most successful team: MI New York (2 titles)
- Other champion: Washington Freedom (1 title)
- 2026 Champion: To be decided
Major League Cricket Winners List (2023–2026)
| Season | Winner | Runner-up | Result |
| 2023 | MI New York | Seattle Orcas | MI New York won by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | Washington Freedom | San Francisco Unicorns | Washington Freedom won by 96 runs |
| 2025 | MI New York | Washington Freedom | MI New York won by 5 runs |
| 2026 | To Be Decided | — | Season ongoing |
Major League Cricket Winners List: Season-by-Season History
2023: MI New York Became the First-Ever Champions
The inaugural Major League Cricket season set the tone for the competition’s future. Six franchises competed in the first edition, but it was MI New York that made history.
After qualifying for the playoffs, MI New York produced an outstanding performance in the final against Seattle Orcas. A remarkable century from Nicholas Pooran guided the franchise to the first MLC trophy after chasing down a challenging target with authority. 2023 Final Highlights
- Champions: MI New York
- Runner-up: Seattle Orcas
- Winning Margin: 7 wickets
- First-ever MLC champions
- Nicholas Pooran starred in the final
That victory immediately established MI New York as one of the league’s strongest franchises.
2024: Washington Freedom Claimed Their Maiden Title
The second season produced a new champion.
Washington Freedom dominated throughout the tournament before delivering one of the most one-sided finals in MLC history against San Francisco Unicorns.
Their bowlers dismantled the opposition before the batting unit comfortably completed the job, resulting in a massive 96-run victory. The performance demonstrated how quickly the franchise had evolved into a championship contender.
2024 Final Highlights
- Champions: Washington Freedom
- Runner-up: San Francisco Unicorns
- Winning Margin: 96 runs
- First title for Washington Freedom
It remains the biggest winning margin in an MLC final.
2025: MI New York Won Their Second Championship
MI New York returned to the summit in 2025.
After a competitive league stage, they reached another final, where Washington Freedom stood in their way once again. The title match proved far closer than the previous year’s final.
MI New York defended a modest total in dramatic fashion, securing victory by just five runs to lift their second MLC trophy. With that triumph, they became the first franchise in league history to win multiple championships.
2025 Final Highlights
- Champions: MI New York
- Runner-up: Washington Freedom
- Winning Margin: 5 runs
- Second MLC title for MI New York
The victory reinforced MI New York’s status as the most successful franchise in Major League Cricket.
2026: Who Will Lift the Trophy?
The 2026 Major League Cricket season is currently underway, with six franchises competing for the championship.
The tournament follows a double round-robin league stage before the playoffs, culminating in the final. As defending champions, MI New York entered the season aiming for a third title, while Washington Freedom, Texas Super Kings, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, and Los Angeles Knight Riders are all chasing championship glory. The 2026 winner will be added once the final concludes.
Which Team Has Won the Most MLC Titles?
At the end of the 2025 season, the title tally stands as follows:
| Team | Titles |
| MI New York | 2 |
| Washington Freedom | 1 |
| Seattle Orcas | 0 |
| San Francisco Unicorns | 0 |
| Texas Super Kings | 0 |
| Los Angeles Knight Riders | 0 |
MI New York’s consistency has been remarkable. Winning two of the first three editions has made them the benchmark franchise in the league.
Memorable MLC Finals So Far
Every completed Major League Cricket final has offered something different.
2023 – Nicholas Pooran’s Masterclass
The inaugural final belonged to Nicholas Pooran, whose unbeaten century powered MI New York to a comfortable chase and ensured the first MLC trophy went to the Mumbai Indians family.
2024 – Washington Freedom’s Complete Domination
Rather than a close finish, the second final showcased total control. Washington Freedom excelled with both bat and ball to secure an emphatic victory over San Francisco Unicorns.
2025 – A Nail-Biting Finish
Unlike the previous year’s one-sided contest, the 2025 final went down to the wire. MI New York held their nerve in the closing overs to defend a small total and edge Washington Freedom by five runs.
Why the MLC Winners List Matters
Although Major League Cricket is still a relatively young competition, its champions represent more than just annual title winners.
Each successful season strengthens cricket’s position in the United States by:
- Attracting international players
- Increasing television audiences
- Encouraging youth participation
- Driving investment in stadiums
- Expanding cricket’s commercial footprint across North America
The growing prestige of the tournament means future MLC winners will become an increasingly important part of global franchise cricket history.
Key Takeaways
- Major League Cricket launched in 2023.
- MI New York won the inaugural title in 2023.
- Washington Freedom lifted their first championship in 2024.
- MI New York became the first two-time champions after winning again in 2025.
- The 2026 season is currently in progress, and the next champion is yet to be crowned.
- MI New York remains the most successful franchise in MLC history with two titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the first Major League Cricket title?
MI New York won the inaugural Major League Cricket championship in 2023 after defeating Seattle Orcas by seven wickets in the final. Nicholas Pooran played a match-winning innings to guide his team to victory.
Which team has won the most MLC trophies?
MI New York is the most successful franchise in Major League Cricket history, winning championships in 2023 and 2025.
Who won Major League Cricket 2025?
MI New York defeated Washington Freedom by five runs in a thrilling final to secure their second MLC title.
Has the Major League Cricket 2026 champion been decided?
No. The 2026 season is currently ongoing, so the champion will only be confirmed after the tournament final.
Conclusion
The Major League Cricket Winners List may still be short, but it already tells the story of a league growing rapidly on the global cricket stage. MI New York has established itself as the early powerhouse with two championships, while Washington Freedom has proven it can challenge for titles.
With the 2026 season still unfolding, another chapter in MLC history is about to be written. Whether a familiar champion emerges or a new franchise lifts the trophy, the league’s legacy continues to grow with every season.
