The Major League Cricket (MLC 2026) league stage is nearing its completion, and here's how each team can make it to the playoffs.
There are just four matches left to be played in the MLC 2026 league stage. The fourth edition of the tournament has seen a rise in the number of close finishes, and the playoffs promise to be nothing less than riveting blockbusters. Every team is in with a chance to make the playoffs, with three sides locked in on 10 points at the top of the table.
MLC 2026: How teams stand after match 26
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | N/R | Points | NRR |
| San Francisco Unicorns | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 0.457 |
| Los Angeles Knight Riders | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 0.229 |
| MI New York | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 | -0.090 |
| Seattle Orcas | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0.108 |
| Washington Freedom | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -0.637 |
| Texas Super Kings | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 6 | -0.113 |
With close competition at the top of the table, franchises will aim to finish in the top two spots to have another shot at the final in case of a loss in the Qualifier. However, teams finishing third and fourth will have no room for error.
Remaining MLC 2026 fixtures
July 11: Texas Super Kings vs Washington Freedom
July 11: San Francisco Unicorns vs Seattle Orcas
July 12: MI New York vs Washington Freedom
July 12: Texas Super Kings vs Los Angeles Knight Riders
How each team can qualify for MLC 2026 playoffs
San Francisco Unicorns
Having accumulated 10 points in nine matches so far, the San Francisco Unicorns sit at the top of the points table due to their superior net run-rate. They are thus one of the franchises well within the reach of a top-two finish.
Their chances of remaining in the top two will be extremely high if they win their last league match against the Seatlle Orcas and get to 12 points. But with the Knight Riders and MI New York on 10 points each too, it could eventually come down to NRR to decide who finishes in the top two. So Unicorns will want to win by a decent margin, just to be sure.
If they lose their last game, however, they will have to wait for the Los Angeles Knight Riders and MI New York to complete their remaining matches. The current league leaders will likely not be at the risk of losing out on a place in the playoffs because of their run-rate, but will want to not lose by a hefty margin against Seattle Orcas.
Los Angeles Knight Riders
The Jason Holder-led side have also accumulated 10 points in their run till now, and will be eyeing one of the top-two spots. The Knight Riders will play the last group-stage fixture, which will give them the advantage of the exact know-how in order to stay in the top-two, and in the playoffs spot.
They are scheduled to play against the Texas Super Kings, and winning the battle will likely give them a spot in the top two unless MI New York don't overhaul their NRR with a big victory against Washington Freedom.
Andre Russell, one of their most trusted all-rounders has the second joint-most wickets in this season (16), alongside Marcus Stoinis.
MI New York
The two-time MLC champions are placed well to have a go at their third title. They are the third team with 10 points in nine matches. But the only thing which might keep them away from the top two spots is their net run-rate.
All the three teams at the top of the table do not play each other as their last game. This is exactly why MI New York will have to win by a big margin against Washington Freedom to have a chance of a top-two finish. If the Unicorns and Knight Riders win their respective games comfortably, they will seal the top-two spots in the points table.
However, if MI lose their last game, it will open up a lot of probabilities for teams like the Seattle Orcas and Washington Freedom to push them out of the top four (with their run-rate already in negative).
Seattle Orcas
The Seattle Orcas have won every alternate game in the league so far. And after a loss against MI New York in the last outing, they will hope that the pattern continues.
With a win in their last game, the Orcas will also be able to keep the San Francisco Unicorns to 10 points, while getting to that number themselves. They will also hope that at least one of MI and the Knight Riders lose their last game, which will give the Orcas to even sneak into the top two.
Tim Seifert has been their best batter in the tournament so far, with 370 runs in nine innings with a hundred and two fifties. The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter has been striking at a healthy 160.86, and the franchise will want him to continue the fireworks. In the bowling department, Ottneil Baartman has picked up 18 wickets in nine games so far, which has allowed the Orcas to dismantle batting orders.
Washington Freedom
The Washington Freedom are fifth on the points table with eight points in their kitty, but they also have the advantage of having a game in hand. They have a game each against the Texas Super Kings and the MI New York, and winning both will take them to 12 points and into the playoffs.
They will also hope that one of the Unicorns and Knight Riders lose their remaining fixtures. If both these criteria fall into place, Washington Freedom might even get into the top two.
Mitchell Owen, with 371 runs in eight fixtures has been their highest run-getter with a strike-rate of 209.88, with valuable contributions in multiple fixtures. They will hopw that he continues his stellar run.
Texas Super Kings
With two games left to be played in the league stage, the Texas Super Kings find themselves in a do-or-die category. A loss in either of their two fixtures will ensure elimination. However, victories in both fixtures could open up a few possibilities.
Two victories will get them to 10 points, and leave the Knight Riders at 10 points, while also restricting Washington Freedom to a maximum of 10. MI would finish with 10 points in this case as well, and everything will then come down to NRR. But the Super Kings have lost their last three games, and will hope for a quick turnaround.
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