- The Unicorns’ opening game of the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season will be played at the iconic stadium on June 12, with two further home games on June 14 and June 15
- Nine total matches will take place at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, featuring all six of MLC’s teams
The San Francisco Unicorns will host its 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) home matches at the historic Oakland Coliseum, bringing world-class cricket to the Bay Area for the first time.
This move, which will see all three of the Unicorns’ regular-season home games played at the iconic stadium, marks a significant step for the franchise and Major League Cricket – not just in bringing another founding team to its home market, but enabling a previously unheralded connection with the local fanbase.
“We are beyond thrilled to bring the San Francisco Unicorns to the Oakland Coliseum for our home matches in 2025,” said David White, CEO of the San Francisco Unicorns. “The Bay Area has a deep and growing love for cricket and this move allows us to create an unforgettable matchday experience in one of the region’s most iconic venues.
“We can’t wait to welcome fans from across the Bay Area to cheer on the Unicorns in our new home.”
A total of nine matches will be hosted at the Coliseum, featuring all of MLC’s six teams. The Unicorns will host its opening game at the Oakland Coliseum against the Washington Freedom on June 12 – a rematch of the 2024 Championship game. On June 12, Shane Watson’s side will welcome West Coast rivals LA Knight Riders, before hosting MI New York on Father’s Day, June 15.
The decision to host MLC matches in Oakland has been met with enthusiasm from local officials. “The Oakland Coliseum has long been a destination for sports and entertainment, and we are excited to add cricket to its continuing legacy,” said City of Oakland Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “This move underscores Oakland’s status as a diverse and dynamic sports city, and we look forward to supporting the growth of cricket in our community.”
The Oakland Coliseum has been a staple of the Bay Area’s sports landscape for decades. Previously home to Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics and the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, the venue has a rich history of hosting world-class sporting events and iconic concerts such as Day on the Green. With planned seating capacity for up to 12,000 fans and excellent accessibility via public transit, the Coliseum will provide an ideal setting for cricket fans to experience top-tier action up close.
Johnny Grave, CEO of Major League Cricket, also expressed his excitement about the league’s new venue. “The Coliseum is a fantastic location for Major League Cricket, and we are thrilled by the prospect of some of the world’s biggest cricket stars playing in such an iconic Californian venue.”
“Coming to the West Coast, and being here in Oakland, is an historic move for cricket globally. It reinforces our commitment to growing the game in the United States and providing fans with an exceptional cricket experience.”
San Francisco Unicorns co-owners Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan also commented on bringing Major League Cricket to the Bay Area: “The arrival of this sport at a world-class venue like the Oakland Coliseum, and the opportunity to have the Unicorns play in its home market, is a dream come true for us,” said Rajaraman. “We are fully committed to making the Unicorns a key part of the Bay Area’s sporting culture and providing fans with an exciting and memorable cricket experience.”
Harinarayan added, “The passion for cricket in the Bay Area is undeniable, and we are thrilled to have a home that can accommodate and inspire our growing fanbase. We look forward to an incredible season ahead.”
Nicole Strange, General Manager, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and Oakland Arena (ASM Global) added: “We are proud to welcome Major League Cricket to the Coliseum in June. This will be an incredible opportunity for the Bay Area community and beyond to experience this global sport right here in the heart of Oakland.”
In its sophomore season of Major League Cricket, the San Francisco Unicorns experienced remarkable growth. The Bay Area team secured the signing of international cricket superstar Pat Cummins and boasted a roster of world-renowned stars, including Finn Allen, Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Henry, and 2019 Cricket World Cup champion Liam Plunkett. The team, led by U.S. all-rounder and standout captain Corey Anderson, reached the 2024 Championship final.
In addition to playing at the Oakland Coliseum, the 2025 season will take place at Major League Cricket’s flagship venue, Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, TX, and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, FL. Fans can sign up for access to pre-sale tickets on the Major League Cricket website: majorleaguecricket.com.
