The Lanka Premier League (LPL) returned on July 17 after skipping the 2025 season, with defending champions Jaffna Kings taking on Galle Gallants in the tournament opener at Colombo’s SSC Cricket Ground. The sixth edition of Sri Lanka’s premier T20 league will run until August 8, with August 9 reserved as a backup date for the final if required.
Five teams are competing this season – Colombo Kaps, Jaffna Kings, Galle Gallants, Dambulla Sixers and Kandy Royals. Each side will face every other team twice in a double round-robin league, resulting in 20 league-stage matches before the playoffs. The tournament consists of 24 matches, including Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the final.
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The tournament will be played across four venues. Colombo hosts the opening phase before the action shifts to Dambulla and Pallekele in Kandy. The playoffs and final will again be staged in Colombo.
The captains this season are Kusal Mendis (Colombo Kaps), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Jaffna Kings), Dasun Shanaka (Galle Gallants), Dinesh Chandimal (Dambulla Sixers) and Angelo Mathews (Kandy Royals).
LPL 2026 has also introduced two major rule changes. Teams can now use an Impact Substitute, while every playing XI must include an Under-23 player throughout the match, even after an impact substitution.
In India, matches will be broadcast on Star Sports 3 and streamed live on FanCode. Afternoon matches begin at 3 pm IST, while evening fixtures start at 7.30 pm IST. The final is scheduled for August 8 in Colombo.
