Oakland Coliseum Cricket Stadium: Guide and Spotlight of Major League Cricket 2025

In a bold and historic move, the iconic Oakland Coliseum cricket stadium—once the roaring home of the MLB’s Athletics and NFL’s Raiders—has been transformed into a premier cricket venue for Major League Cricket 2025. This marks a significant milestone in American sports, as cricket finally makes its long-awaited West Coast debut on one of California’s most recognized stages.

From June 12 to June 18, the Coliseum will host a thrilling slate of MLC 2025 matches, featuring all six franchises in action, including home games for the San Francisco Unicorns. Fitted with world-class drop-in pitches, upgraded seating, and a fan-centric atmosphere, Oakland is not just a venue—it’s a symbol of cricket’s explosive rise in the United States. As thousands of passionate fans flood the stands, the Coliseum is set to create unforgettable moments and pave the way for cricket’s lasting legacy in the Bay Area.

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Also Read : MLC 2025 Full Schedule, Fixtures & Key Matches

• Historic Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, former home to MLB’s A’s and NFL’s Raiders for over five decades.
• Cricket Conversion: Fitted with drop-in wickets shipped from New York’s Nassau County (site of 2024 T20 World Cup), curated by Australia’s Damian Hough.
• Seating & Capacity: Stadium’s full capacity holds ~40,000, but cricket matches are set for 12,000 in the lower bowl for a more vibrant fan experience.
• Economic Boost: Expected to bring a $3 million pump into Oakland’s economy through events from June 12–18

Oakland marks a historic debut—MLC kicks off its West Coast presence with nine electrifying matches (June 12–18), featuring all six teams

Key Matchups:

• June 12 (6 PM PT): San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom – MLC 2024 Final rematch
• June 13: MI New York vs Texas Super Kings.
• June 14: Two games – SF Unicorns vs LA Knight Riders & Seattle Orcas vs Washington Freedom.
• June 15: Dual fixtures – LA Knight Riders vs Texas Super Kings; Unicorns vs MI New York.
• June 16–18: Final triple-header featuring Texas Super Kings, Seattle Orcas, Washington Freedom, and MI New York

Home Leg: San Francisco Unicorns will host three home games on June 12, 14, and 15

• Field Layout: Drop-in pitches ensuring top-level bounce; lower seating encourages strong crowd atmosphere
• Local Fans: Over 5,000 attended the opener, waving Unicorn flags—highlighting cricket’s growing presence in the Bay Area
• Inclusive Vibe: Park‑and‑play atmosphere with Cricket fun in parking lots—some fans even bowled before entering for the game.
• Community Energy: Oakland’s interim mayor and local officials lauded MLC’s investment and the stadium’s revival as a major draw for diverse audiences

Full match schedule: Available at MajorLeagueCricket.com

• Cricket’s California Debut: June 12 marked the first top-level West Coast cricket match played here
• Fan Passion: KQED quoted a fan: “I’ll take any chance to be in the Coliseum again… I got chills.”
• Celebrity Praise: Adam Gilchrist applauded MLC, calling it “extremely impressed with the operation”
• Record-Breaking Action: Monank Patel’s 93 for MI New York (Oakland leg) set a new American MLC record, and Unicorns smashed Freedom by 123 runs in an opening clash with 5,126 fans in attendance

Firsts:

• West Coast Expansion: Marks MLC’s first major step beyond central U.S. regions, aligning with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic pathway
• Reviving a Venue: Fills the post-A’s/Raiders sporting vacuum and secures Oakland’s spot back in top-tier sports
• Diverse Appeal: The Bay Area’s multicultural audience provides a ready fanbase, with backyard cricket decks and weekend leagues already thriving.
• MLC Leadership: CEO Johnny Grave’s strategy expanded venue roster and professionalized the league, leaning into West Coast growth

• Ticketing: Single matches begin ~$20; series passes and VIP options available. Buy early—home games for SF Unicorns sold out fast
• Transit & Parking: Coliseum reachable via BART; lots accommodate pre-game tailgating and play.
• Coverage:
• USA/Canada: Willow TV & MLC platforms
• Global: FanCode, Sky Sports
• San Francisco: KQED & NBC Bay Area highlight coverage

Oakland Coliseum transformation for Major League Cricket 2025 isn’t just historic—it’s visionary. By transporting world-class drop‑in pitches, engaging diverse fans, and delivering strong economic and sporting impact, it signals a seismic shift for cricket in America’s West Coast. Whether you’re a Bay Area local or a global cricket fan, Oakland’s MLC leg is shaping up as one of the season’s most vibrant tokens of cricket’s American rise.