The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 will officially get underway on July 17, marking the return of Sri Lanka’s premier T20 franchise tournament with a high-profile rematch of the 2024 final between reigning champions Jaffna and runners-up Galle.
The curtain-raiser will be staged under lights at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Grounds in Colombo, a venue that recently hosted its first T20 International during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The opening match is scheduled for a 7.30pm start and will be preceded by an official opening ceremony to launch the new season in style.
The tournament will run from July 17 to August 8, with a reserve day for the final set for August 9. Although Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had initially announced July 10 as the starting date, the revised schedule confirms a tighter, more structured window across four major venues.
Full Tournament Schedule
July 17–19: Opening Match & Colombo Leg (SSC Grounds, Colombo)
July 21–26: Dambulla Leg (RDICS, Dambulla)
July 28–August 2: Kandy Leg (PICS, Pallekele)
August 5 & 7: Qualifiers & Eliminator (RPICS, Colombo)
August 8: Grand Final (RPICS, Colombo)
August 9: Reserve Day (RPICS, Colombo)
The 2026 edition will feature five franchises representing Jaffna, Colombo, Kandy, Galle, and Dambulla, with official team branding and ownership details expected to be unveiled ahead of the tournament.
Player registration opened on May 8 and closes on May 20, while direct signings are permitted until May 22. A significant structural change this year sees the return of the draft system on June 1, replacing the auction format used in recent seasons. Importantly, no player retentions will be allowed, ensuring a complete squad reset across all teams.
