Lanka Premier League 2026 Preview: Sri Lanka’s biggest franchise T20 competition is back with a new look and some major innovations. The biggest talking point this season has been the introduction of the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to make a tactical substitution in-game based on the circumstances. Another significant change is Sri Lanka Cricket’s mandatory Under-23 player rule, which requires every franchise to field at least one U-23 cricketer throughout the match, even after using the Impact Player.
Defending champions SC Jaffna Kings, winners of four of the previous five editions, begin as favorites once again. However, revamped squads featuring international stars and exciting local talent make Colombo Kaps, Galle Gallants, Kandy Royals and Dambulla Sixers strong contenders. The tournament opens on July 17 with a repeat of the 2024 final as Jaffna Kings take on Galle Gallants at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Lanka Premier League 2026 Tournament Details
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Tournament: Lanka Premier League 2026
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Dates: July 17 to August 8, 2026
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Teams: SC Jaffna Kings, Colombo Kaps, Kandy Royals, Galle Gallants and Dambulla Sixers
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Total Matches: 24
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Defending Champions: SC Jaffna Kings
Lanka Premier League 2026 Full Schedule
July 17: Jaffna Kings vs Galle Gallants
July 18: Kandy Royals vs Dambulla Sixers; Galle Gallants vs Colombo Kaps
July 19: Dambulla Sixers vs Jaffna Kings; Colombo Kaps vs Kandy Royals
July 21: Dambulla Sixers vs Kandy Royals
July 22: Jaffna Kings vs Colombo Kaps; Dambulla Sixers vs Galle Gallants
July 23: Kandy Royals vs Colombo Kaps; Galle Gallants vs Jaffna Kings
July 25: Galle Gallants vs Kandy Royals; Dambulla Sixers vs Colombo Kaps
July 26: Kandy Royals vs Jaffna Kings; Galle Gallants vs Dambulla Sixers
July 28: Colombo Kaps vs Jaffna Kings
July 29: Galle Gallants vs Kandy Royals; Colombo Kaps vs Dambulla Sixers
July 30: Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Royals
August 1: Colombo Kaps vs Galle Gallants
August 2: Jaffna Kings vs Dambulla Sixers
August 5: Qualifier 1 and Eliminator
August 7: Qualifier 2
August 8: Final
Match Timings (IST): Afternoon matches begin at 3:00 PM, while evening matches start at 7:30 PM.
Lanka Premier League 2026 Live Streaming Details
Fans in India can watch the tournament live on Star Sports Network, while digital streaming will be available on the FanCode App and Website.
In Sri Lanka, matches will be broadcast on SLTMobitel/PEOTV and streamed through Sri Lanka Cricket’s official digital platforms. Viewers in the USA can watch on Willow TV and Willow Xtra/Sling TV, while Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Go will provide coverage in the United Kingdom.
Lanka Premier League 2026 Full Squads
SC Jaffna Kings
Shakib Al Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dunith Wellalage, Avishka Fernando, David Wiese, Ibrahim Zadran, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dilshan Madushanka, Lizaad Williams, Dipendra Airee, Kamil Mishara, Traveen Mathews, Mohommed Shiraz, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kugathas Mathulan, Praveen Manisha and Nishan Madushka.
Colombo Kaps
Kusal Mendis (captain), Kamindu Mendis, Ben McDermott, Jimmy Neesham, Binura Fernando, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Milan Ratnayake, Janith Liyanage, Shahnawaz Dahani, Jeffrey Vandersay, Thanuka Dabare, Movin Subasingha, Mohammed Haris, Hasan Mahmud, Kushal Bhurtel, Malsha Tharupathi, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Wanuja Sahan and Anthony Pragasam.
Kandy Royals
Angelo Mathews, Wanindu Hasaranga, Moeen Ali, Vijay Shankar, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kusal Perera, Daniel Sams, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Brandon McMullen, Dale Phillips, Zahir Khan, Garuka Sanketh, Vishen Halambage, Muditha Lakshan, Lahiru Udara, Sahan Mihira, Pawan Sandesh, Dushan Hemantha and Isitha Wijesundera.
Galle Gallants
Dasun Shanaka (captain), Charith Asalanka, Eshan Malinga, Rassie van der Dussen, Litton Das, Mohammad Nawaz, Chamika Karunaratne, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Akif Javed, Sam Harper, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Haider Ali, Sahan Arachchige, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dinura Kalupahana, Uri Koththigoda, Kasun Rajitha and Sachindu Colombage.
Dambulla Sixers
Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Sahibzada Farhan, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Niroshan Dickwella, Pavan Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Mohammed Wasim Jr., Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ramesh Mendis, Sachitha Jayatilake, Gulbadin Naib, Dian Forrester, Shadley Schalkwyk, Vishva Kumara and Gayana Weerasinghe.
Lanka Premier League Winners (2020–2024)
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2020: Jaffna Stallions
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2021: Jaffna Kings
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2022: Jaffna Kings
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2023: B-Love Kandy
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2024: Jaffna Kings
