New MCC laws explained: 10 rule changes coming to cricket in October 2026

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced 10 major rule changes that will reshape how the game is played, with the new laws coming into effect on 1 October 2026.

When the Marylebone Cricket Club updates the Laws of Cricket, the consequences extend well beyond the pavilion at Lord's Cricket Ground. From international cricket to weekend club matches, the laws shape how the game is played, judged, and understood.

The 2026 edition, which comes into effect in October, is the first revision since 2022 and has been drafted with two clear objectives. The laws must reflect the realities of the modern game, increasingly shaped by technology and global audiences, and they must be more inclusive and accessible. That inclusivity goes beyond removing gendered language and extends to simplifying wording, so the laws are clearer for players and officials worldwide.

There are 73 material changes in total, but ten stand out for their direct impact on how cricket will be played. Some correct long-standing inconsistencies, others close loopholes that had begun to undermine fairness, and a few restore lost elements of tension and balance.

Previously, the permitted size and weight tolerances for women's and junior balls were far wider than those for men's cricket. This created overlap, where a women's ball could be smaller and lighter than a junior ball, allowing manufacturers to produce a single ball for both categories.

From 2026, balls will be classified as Size 1, Size 2 and Size 3, with uniform tolerances across all categories. While the men's ball remains unchanged, women's and junior cricket will now use clearly defined equipment, a change driven by player feedback and a growing emphasis on fairness and precision.

Laminated or Type D bats were previously limited to junior cricket. Under the new laws, they will be permitted in most adult cricket, subject to regulations set by national governing bodies.