The Lanka Premier League 2026 runs from 17 July to 8 August 2026. Five teams—Galle Gallants, Dambulla Sixers, Colombo Kaps, Kandy Royals and Jaffna Kings—play 20 league matches followed by four playoffs at four Sri Lankan venues. Day matches start at 3:00 p.m. and night matches at 7:30 p.m. Sri Lanka time.
In Sri Lanka, the officially announced live options are SLT-MOBITEL PEOTV for television and PEO MOBILE for streaming. The complete schedule, current squads, venues, ticket prices and verified viewing links are below.
Last checked: 17 July 2026. Fixtures, players and broadcast arrangements can change during a live tournament. Use the linked Sri Lanka Cricket and official LPL pages for a final match-day check.
LPL 2026 at a glance
| Question | Confirmed answer |
|---|---|
| Official name | Lanka Premier League 2026, also called LPL Season 6 |
| Sport and format | Men’s franchise Twenty20 cricket |
| Organiser and owner | Sri Lanka Cricket |
| Start date | 17 July 2026 |
| Final date | 8 August 2026 |
| Final reserve day | 9 August 2026 |
| Number of teams | Five |
| Scheduled matches | 24 |
| League format | Double round-robin followed by playoffs |
| Match times | 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sri Lanka Standard Time |
| Venues | SSC Colombo, Dambulla, Pallekele and R. Premadasa Colombo |
| Live in Sri Lanka | PEOTV and PEO MOBILE |
| Player selection | Player draft held on 1 June 2026—not an auction |
Sri Lanka Cricket’s current ticket announcement confirms the 17 July–8 August window. The official LPL fixtures page is the best source for late changes, results and the playoff sequence.
Sri Lanka Premier League 2026 date and start time
The Sri Lanka Premier League 2026 start date is Friday, 17 July 2026. The tournament opener is Jaffna Kings versus Galle Gallants at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The final is scheduled for Saturday, 8 August at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. It begins at 7:30 p.m. A rain reserve day is listed for 9 August.
The name searchers commonly use—“Sri Lanka Premier League cricket 2026”—refers to the Lanka Premier League, not a separate competition. LPL is the official abbreviation.
Why older LPL 2026 dates are different
Several dates were officially announced at different stages:
- The sixth season was first planned for 27 November–23 December 2025.
- Sri Lanka Cricket then said the 2025 tournament would not be held because host venues needed to be prepared for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
- An initial 2026 window of 8 July–8 August was announced.
- A later notice used 10 July–5 August.
- The released fixture list and ticket notice now use 17 July–8 August 2026.
This explains why search results and old social posts conflict. The fixture release is more specific and later than the earlier planning announcements. Advice.lk therefore uses 17 July–8 August throughout this guide.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s 2025 postponement statement explains the venue-preparation decision, while its May 2026 opening-game release confirms the current opening date, time and four venues.
Lanka Premier League 2026 schedule and timetable
All times below are Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST, UTC+5:30). Sri Lanka and India use the same local time. Afternoon matches start at 3:00 p.m.; night matches start at 7:30 p.m.
| Match | Date | Fixture | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fri, 17 Jul | Jaffna Kings vs Galle Gallants | 7:30 p.m. | SSC, Colombo |
| 2 | Sat, 18 Jul | Kandy Royals vs Dambulla Sixers | 3:00 p.m. | SSC, Colombo |
| 3 | Sat, 18 Jul | Galle Gallants vs Colombo Kaps | 7:30 p.m. | SSC, Colombo |
| 4 | Sun, 19 Jul | Dambulla Sixers vs Jaffna Kings | 3:00 p.m. | SSC, Colombo |
| 5 | Sun, 19 Jul | Colombo Kaps vs Kandy Royals | 7:30 p.m. | SSC, Colombo |
| 6 | Tue, 21 Jul | Dambulla Sixers vs Kandy Royals | 7:30 p.m. | Dambulla |
| 7 | Wed, 22 Jul | Jaffna Kings vs Colombo Kaps | 3:00 p.m. | Dambulla |
| 8 | Wed, 22 Jul | Dambulla Sixers vs Galle Gallants | 7:30 p.m. | Dambulla |
| 9 | Thu, 23 Jul | Kandy Royals vs Colombo Kaps | 3:00 p.m. | Dambulla |
| 10 | Thu, 23 Jul | Galle Gallants vs Jaffna Kings | 7:30 p.m. | Dambulla |
| 11 | Sat, 25 Jul | Galle Gallants vs Kandy Royals | 3:00 p.m. | Dambulla |
| 12 | Sat, 25 Jul | Dambulla Sixers vs Colombo Kaps | 7:30 p.m. | Dambulla |
| 13 | Sun, 26 Jul | Kandy Royals vs Jaffna Kings | 3:00 p.m. | Dambulla |
| 14 | Sun, 26 Jul | Galle Gallants vs Dambulla Sixers | 7:30 p.m. | Dambulla |
| 15 | Tue, 28 Jul | Colombo Kaps vs Jaffna Kings | 7:30 p.m. | Pallekele |
| 16 | Wed, 29 Jul | Galle Gallants vs Kandy Royals | 3:00 p.m. | Pallekele |
| 17 | Wed, 29 Jul | Colombo Kaps vs Dambulla Sixers | 7:30 p.m. | Pallekele |
| 18 | Thu, 30 Jul | Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Royals | 7:30 p.m. | Pallekele |
| 19 | Sat, 1 Aug | Colombo Kaps vs Galle Gallants | 7:30 p.m. | Pallekele |
| 20 | Sun, 2 Aug | Jaffna Kings vs Dambulla Sixers | 7:30 p.m. | Pallekele |
| 21 | Wed, 5 Aug | Qualifier 1: 1st vs 2nd | 3:00 p.m. | R. Premadasa, Colombo |
| 22 | Wed, 5 Aug | Eliminator: 3rd vs 4th | 7:30 p.m. | R. Premadasa, Colombo |
| 23 | Fri, 7 Aug | Qualifier 2 | 7:30 p.m. | R. Premadasa, Colombo |
| 24 | Sat, 8 Aug | Final | 7:30 p.m. | R. Premadasa, Colombo |
The final’s reserve day is Sunday, 9 August. The official LPL schedule should be checked if weather or operational changes affect a fixture.
Schedule by tournament phase
| Phase | Dates | Ground | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo opening leg | 17–19 July | Sinhalese Sports Club | 5 |
| Dambulla league leg | 21–26 July | Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium | 9 |
| Kandy league leg | 28 July–2 August | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | 6 |
| Colombo playoffs | 5–8 August | R. Premadasa International Stadium | 4 |
The compact venue blocks reduce repeated travel during each phase. Supporters planning to attend more than one game should still check whether their ticket is match-specific, session-specific or ground-specific before paying.
How the LPL 2026 format works
The five franchises play a double round-robin league. Each team faces every other team twice, producing eight league matches per team and 20 league matches overall.
The top four move into an IPL-style playoff bracket:
- Qualifier 1: first place versus second place. The winner reaches the final.
- Eliminator: third place versus fourth place. The loser is eliminated.
- Qualifier 2: the Qualifier 1 loser plays the Eliminator winner.
- Final: the Qualifier 1 winner plays the Qualifier 2 winner.
This system rewards the top two league teams with a second route to the final. Finishing third or fourth means every playoff becomes an elimination match.
Impact substitution and under-23 requirement
Published competition information says LPL 2026 introduces an impact-substitution rule. It also requires an under-23 player to remain part of each playing XI, including after an impact substitution.
Those two rules can influence squad balance. A team cannot use the substitution mechanism to remove its development player from the XI entirely. Fans should consult official match playing conditions or the match broadcast for the exact nomination and substitution procedure.
Lanka Premier League 2026 teams
The Sri Lanka Premier League teams for 2026 are Galle Gallants, Dambulla Sixers, Colombo Kaps, Kandy Royals and Jaffna Kings.
Three names need special attention. Galle Gallants is the current Galle identity, replacing the Galle Marvels name used in 2024. Colombo Kaps is not Colombo Strikers. Kandy Royals is not Kandy Falcons. Search results using the old identities may show outdated squad, ownership or schedule information.
| Team | Captain listed by official LPL site | Vice-captain | Squad size listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galle Gallants | Dasun Shanaka | Charith Asalanka | 20 |
| Dambulla Sixers | Dinesh Chandimal | Dushmantha Chameera | 18 |
| Colombo Kaps | Kusal Mendis | Kamindu Mendis | 20 |
| Kandy Royals | Angelo Mathews | Wanindu Hasaranga | 20 |
| Jaffna Kings | Bhanuka Rajapaksa | Dunith Wellalage | 19 |
Captaincy and availability can change through injury, international duty or a team announcement. The official LPL teams page is the current reference used below.
LPL 2026 squads and players list
These squads were checked on 17 July 2026. “Local” and “overseas” follow the official tournament page. Some official names are abbreviated; this guide does not guess an expanded name when the tournament page does not provide one.
Galle Gallants squad
Local players: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Eshan Malinga, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, V. Viyaskanth, Sahan Arachchige, C. Karunaratne, T. Rathnayake, Dinura Kalupahana, Yuri Koththigoda, Kasun Rajitha and S. Colombage.
Overseas players: Chris Lynn, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Muhammad Nawaz, Akif Javed, Sam Harper, Mehidy Miraz and Virandeep Singh.
Galle’s listed group combines Sri Lankan leadership through Dasun Shanaka and Charith Asalanka with overseas batting and all-round options. The official page lists 13 local and seven overseas players.
Dambulla Sixers squad
Local players: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), D. Chameera (vice-captain), M. Theekshana, N. Dickwella, Pavan Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, D. Lakshan, Ramesh Mendis, S. Jayathilake, Vishva Kumara and G. Weerasinghe.
Overseas players: Sahibzada Farhan, Reeza Hendricks, Fazalhaq Farooqi, M. Wasim Jr., Gulbadin Naib, Marques Ackerman and Van Schalkwyk.
Dambulla’s published squad contains 18 players. Its home-leg schedule is demanding: the Sixers appear four times during the nine-match Dambulla block.
Colombo Kaps squad
Local players: Kusal Mendis (captain), Kamindu Mendis (vice-captain), Binura Fernando, S. Samarawickrama, Milan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Ravindu Fernando, Thanuka Dabare, Movin Subasinghe, Malsha Tharupathi, S. Shanmuganathan, Wanuja Sahan and Arul Pragasam.
Overseas players: James Neesham, Ben McDermott, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Shahnawaz Dahani, Rubin Hermann, Hasan Mahmud and Kushal Bhurtel.
Colombo has a 20-player list with 13 local and seven overseas players. It plays in all three league-stage venue blocks before returning to its home city if it reaches the playoffs.
Kandy Royals squad
Local players: Angelo Mathews (captain), W. Hasaranga (vice-captain), Nuwan Thushara, Kusal Perera, Asitha Fernando, Garuka Sanketh, Vishen Halambage, Muditha Lakshan, Lahiru Udara, Sahan Mihira, Pawan De Silva, Dushan Hemantha and I. Wijesundara.
Overseas players: Moeen Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Vijay Shankar, Sediqullah Atal, Dale Phillips, Zahir Khan and B. McMullen.
Kandy’s published 20-player group brings together senior Sri Lankan experience and varied overseas all-round and bowling choices. Its final six league games are staged at Pallekele, although only three involve Kandy.
Jaffna Kings squad
Local players: B. Rajapaksa (captain), Dunith Wellalage (vice-captain), Avishka Fernando, D. Madushanka, Kamil Mishara, Traveen Mathews, Mohomed Shiraz, C. Wickramasinghe, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sineth Jayawardena, Praveen Maneesha and Nishan Madushka.
Overseas players: Shakib Al Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, David Wiese, Ibrahim Zadran, Piyush Chawla, Lizaad Williams and Zahoor Khan.
Jaffna is the defending champion from the previous completed edition in 2024. Its current official page lists 19 players: 12 local and seven overseas.
Why a published squad can still change
A final post-draft squad is not a guarantee that every player appears in every match. Overseas players can be affected by national selection, visas or no-objection-certificate requirements. Any player can be unavailable through injury, illness or a later team decision.
Use a squad list to understand the registered group. Use the official toss announcement to know the actual XI and substitutes for a match.
LPL player draft and the “auction 2026” search
There was no Lanka Premier League auction in 2026. The player-selection event was a draft held in Colombo on 1 June 2026.
Sri Lanka Cricket reported that more than 650 overseas players registered. Its country breakdown included 102 from Pakistan, 75 from the West Indies, 66 from South Africa, 48 from Bangladesh, 41 from New Zealand, 24 from Australia, 15 from England, 16 from Ireland and 12 from India. A shorter approved pool then proceeded to the draft.
In an auction, teams bid increasing amounts. In a draft, teams select players in an ordered process under the competition’s draft rules. Searchers using “Sri Lanka Premier League auction 2026” generally want the 1 June event and resulting player list. See Sri Lanka Cricket’s draft announcement and overseas registration report.
LPL 2026 live in Sri Lanka
SLT-MOBITEL states that PEOTV is the exclusive Sri Lankan media and broadcast partner for the tournament. Its announcement identifies PEOTV, PEO MOBILE and associated digital platforms as the ways Sri Lankan fans can watch live.
| Viewing need | Verified option in Sri Lanka | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Television | SLT-MOBITEL PEOTV | Current sports channel placement and package |
| Phone or tablet | PEO MOBILE | App availability, login and subscription terms |
| Official viewing updates | LPL “Watch Live” page | Late platform or regional changes |
| Live score and points | Official LPL website | Match centre, results and standings |
| Tickets | Official BookMyShow link | Match, stand, date and price before payment |
The SLT-MOBITEL partnership announcement is stronger evidence than an unofficial streaming roundup. It confirms PEOTV and PEO MOBILE but does not guarantee that every subscriber package includes the same access.
How to watch LPL 2026 live streaming safely
- Confirm the date and time on the official fixture page.
- Open PEO MOBILE or the viewing platform through its official app or website.
- Sign in early enough to resolve an account or subscription issue before the toss.
- Do not install unknown APK files or browser extensions promoted as “free LPL live.”
- Avoid websites that copy a television feed without licensed rights.
- If travelling, check the official platform for that country; rights are geographically restricted.
Unlicensed streams can disappear during a match and may expose viewers to deceptive advertising, malware or credential theft. Advice.lk does not link to pirate streams.
LPL 2026 channels and streaming outside Sri Lanka
| Country | Television | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | PEOTV | PEO MOBILE |
| India | Star Sports 3 | FanCode |
| Pakistan | A Sports HD | Tamasha and Myco |
| Bangladesh | T Sports | iScreen |
These rights can change. Viewers elsewhere should use the official LPL live page rather than assume a service in another country will work locally.
LPL 2026 venues
LPL Season 6 uses four grounds in three cities or venue areas.
Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
SSC hosts the opening ceremony and first five matches from 17 to 19 July. It is a different ground from R. Premadasa Stadium, which hosts the playoffs later.
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium
Dambulla hosts nine consecutive league matches from 21 to 26 July—the largest single block at one venue. It contains five night matches and four afternoon matches.
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Pallekele stages the final six league matches from 28 July to 2 August. It is the Kandy-area venue. The leg contains one afternoon fixture and five night fixtures.
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
R. Premadasa hosts Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator on 5 August, Qualifier 2 on 7 August, and the final on 8 August. The final reserve day is 9 August. Do not travel to SSC for the playoffs simply because both grounds are in Colombo.
LPL 2026 tickets and prices
Sri Lanka Cricket announced online ticket sales through BookMyShow. Published prices vary by ground and seating category:
| Ground | Published ticket prices (LKR) |
|---|---|
| SSC, Colombo | 300, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 and 2,500 |
| Dambulla | 300, 500, 1,000 and 3,000 |
| Pallekele | 400, 1,000, 2,500 and 5,000 |
| R. Premadasa, Colombo | 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,500, 5,000 and 7,500 |
The table reproduces Sri Lanka Cricket’s 3 July categories; it does not mean every price is available for every match. Before buying, verify the match number, date, team fixture, stadium, stand, afternoon or evening session, final charges, refund terms and delivery method.
Use the link from Sri Lanka Cricket’s official ticket notice rather than an unknown social-media seller.
What to follow during LPL 2026 matches
Points table and net run rate
With eight league games per team, each result has a large effect. Net run rate can matter when teams finish level on points. This article does not copy a live table because it becomes inaccurate after every match; use the official LPL homepage.
Playing XI and impact substitute
The squad list is not the match XI. Check the toss for the selected players and nominated substitution options. The under-23 rule means team construction should be read together with the impact-player requirement.
Results, highlights and weather changes
Use the official match-results and highlights links. Avoid clips that remove the date because the same teams meet twice. Only the final currently has a listed reserve day; for any other interruption, wait for an organiser announcement rather than assuming the match moves automatically.
LPL 2026 team questions
Which team are the defending champions?
Jaffna Kings won the previous completed LPL in 2024. The 2025 edition was not played, so Jaffna enters 2026 as defending champion despite the calendar gap.
Why are Galle, Colombo and Kandy using new names?
Franchise identities can change with ownership and commercial arrangements. The current schedule uses Galle Gallants, Colombo Kaps and Kandy Royals. Older pages may still use Galle Marvels, Colombo Strikers and Kandy Falcons. Use the current identity when searching for 2026 tickets, squads and fixtures.
Which franchise has the most titles?
The Jaffna franchise won the first three editions from 2020 through 2022 and again in 2024. B-Love Kandy won in 2023. Team names and ownership have changed, so history should not be treated as proof of current ownership continuity.
Are Indian players in LPL 2026?
Sri Lanka Cricket said 12 players from India registered for the draft. Registration does not mean selection. The current official squads list Vijay Shankar with Kandy Royals and Piyush Chawla with Jaffna Kings.
Lanka Premier League history through 2026
| Season | Champion or status | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Jaffna Stallions | Inaugural season |
| 2021 | Jaffna Kings | Jaffna franchise won again |
| 2022 | Jaffna Kings | Third consecutive Jaffna title |
| 2023 | B-Love Kandy | Kandy franchise won the final |
| 2024 | Jaffna Kings | Fourth Jaffna title |
| 2025 | Not held | Shifted for 2026 T20 World Cup venue preparation |
| 2026 | In progress | Season 6, scheduled 17 July–8 August |
This is why 2026 is Season 6: there were five completed editions from 2020 to 2024, no completed 2025 tournament, and the sixth is being played in 2026.
LPL 2026 and Sri Lankan player development
LPL combines Sri Lankan domestic players with overseas professionals in a short T20 competition. Its development value is more than appearing on a squad list. Useful indicators include whether an emerging player enters the XI, receives a defined role, bowls or bats in pressure periods, works with experienced teammates, adapts across venues and responds after opponents change tactics.
The under-23 requirement makes youth participation visible, but quality depends on meaningful roles and support. A young player used minimally does not gain the same experience as one trusted with important overs or a stable batting position.
Sri Lanka National Super League 2026 is different
The query “Sri Lanka National Super League 2026” does not refer to LPL. The men’s National Super League 4-Day Tournament is a separate first-class domestic competition.
| Feature | Lanka Premier League 2026 | National Super League 4-Day 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Twenty20 franchise cricket | Four-day first-class cricket |
| Main dates | 17 July–8 August 2026 | 6 April–7 May 2026 |
| Match length | About three hours | Up to four days |
| Teams | Five LPL franchises | Colombo, Dambulla, Galle, Jaffna and Kandy teams |
| Overseas players | Yes, within LPL rules | Domestic first-class competition |
| 2026 status | In progress during this update | Completed |
| 2026 winner | To be decided | Dambulla |
The 2026 NSL four-day tournament began on 6 April. Dambulla defeated Colombo by 119 runs in the final at R. Premadasa Stadium on 7 May.
Use “LPL 2026 schedule” for the July–August franchise T20 fixtures on this page and “National Super League 4-Day 2026 schedule” for the April–May first-class competition. Check the sport when searching “Sri Lanka Super League 2026,” because similar wording can point to football.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s National Super League section contains official match reporting. NSL results should not be added to an LPL points table.
Practical LPL 2026 checklist
Watching from home
- Confirm whether the match starts at 3:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
- Check PEOTV or PEO MOBILE access before the toss.
- Use the official points table and result page alongside the broadcast.
- Treat squad graphics as provisional until the toss.
- Avoid unofficial streaming links and apps.
Attending a match
- Confirm whether the Colombo ground is SSC or R. Premadasa.
- Check the match number, date, stand and session on the ticket.
- Follow provider rules on entry time, bags, prohibited items and re-entry.
- Allow extra time for security and match traffic.
- Check weather and organiser updates before leaving.
- Retain the original confirmation and avoid tickets from an unknown reseller.
Following one team
Save the team’s eight league fixtures rather than the full 24-match list. The same opponent appears twice. If the team reaches the top four, its playoff date depends on final league position.
Reliable LPL 2026 sources
| Information needed | Best source |
|---|---|
| Fixture, results and points | Official LPL website |
| Tournament governance | Sri Lanka Cricket LPL news |
| Current team squads | Official LPL teams page |
| Live broadcast regions | Official LPL watch page |
| Sri Lankan PEOTV partnership | SLT-MOBITEL announcement |
| Ticket prices and sales | Sri Lanka Cricket ticket notice |
| National Super League reports | Sri Lanka Cricket NSL section |
The shortest reliable answer is: LPL 2026 started on 17 July, ends on 8 August, has five teams and 24 scheduled matches, and is available in Sri Lanka through PEOTV and PEO MOBILE. Check the official fixture page immediately before a match because this article is a guide, not a live data feed.