LA Knight Riders registered a hard-fought win to win their first MLC trophy against Washington Freedom in the 2026 MLC final on the 18th of July at the Oakland Coliseum, Oakland. Washington Freedom won the toss and chose to field first.

LA Knight Riders were bowled out for 164 runs in 19.4 overs as openers Colin Munro and Andre Fletcher provided a steady start. Munro scored 40 in 29 balls, hitting four sixes, while Fletcher scored 47 in 27 balls, hitting 7 fours and 1 six. All-rounder Matthew Tromp scored 39 in 21 balls, hitting 3 fours and 3 sixes.

Washington Freedom bowlers managed to keep a check on the scoring rate as pacer Ben Dwarshuis registered figures of 3/31. All-rounder Mitchell Owen registered figures of 2/14 with his clever medium pace. Another all-rounder from Australia, Nikhil Chaudhary, registered figures of 2/32 with his off-break, while New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra registered figures of 2/23.

Wicket-keeper batter Andries Gous scored 40 in 35 balls, hitting 2 fours and 2 sixes, while all-rounder Obus Pienaar scored an entertaining knock of 53 in 24 balls, hitting 5 sixes and 3 fours for Washington Freedom. Washington Freedom were 96/5 in 14 overs, but Andries Gous and Obus Pienaar managed to put up a fight.

Washington Freedom scored 163/9 in 20 overs as LA Knight Riders won by 1 run. Former West Indian legendary spinner Sunil Narine showcased his class once again, registering figures of 3/13 in 4 overs.

 Another West Indian, Jason Holder registered figures of 3/31 in 4 overs with his clever medium pace. Both veterans helped LA Knight Riders win their first MLC trophy since the tournament was introduced in 2023. All-rounder Shadley Claude Van Schalkwyk registered figures of 2/50 in 4 overs for LA Knight Riders.

 MI New York won the first edition and the third one in 2025, while Washington Freedom won the tournament in 2024. Sunil Narine was declared player of the tournament as the off-spinner took 18 wickets in 11 innings in the entire season.