Lanka Premier League is set to expand from five to six teams next season, with organisers planning to extend the tournament by around one week.
The 2027 edition is scheduled to return in the July-August window, with the additional franchise set to bring more players and matches into the competition.
Anil Mohan, Founder and CEO of IPG Group, the event rights holder of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), has hailed the latest season as a major success and an important step forward for the tournament. Mohan highlighted the competitive cricket produced by Sri Lanka’s leading players, emerging local talent and international stars, while also pointing to strong growth across television and digital audiences as evidence of the league’s expanding international profile.
"For next year, our plan is to expand the Lanka Premier League from five teams to six teams and extend the tournament window by approximately one additional week during the July-August period," Mohan said in a statement issued by LPL. "This will allow us to bring more players into the competition, create more high-quality matches and commercial opportunities, and further increase the league's reach."
According to the league, the latest season recorded an estimated global reach of more than 500 million viewers across television and digital platforms, with digital viewership increasing by approximately 50%. Coverage extended across South Asia, the Middle East, North America and the Caribbean, with India remaining the league's largest potential market.
"This season of the Lanka Premier League has been an outstanding success and represents an important step forward for the tournament," Mohan said. "We have seen Sri Lanka's leading players, emerging local talent and international cricketers competing together. This has produced competitive and exciting cricket throughout the season."
The expansion will mark the latest development for the Sri Lankan franchise competition as organisers look to provide more opportunities for local and international players.
This year saw Galle Gallants end their trophy drought after previously finishing as runners-up in 2020, 2021 and 2024.
The Gallants collected the winner's prize of USD 150,000, while Jaffna Kings were awarded USD 100,000 as runners-up.
Jaffna Kings' Kamil Mishara was named player of the tournament for his performances with the bat and behind the stumps, while Traveen Mathew was named emerging player of the tournament.
Tournament director Samantha Dodanwela said providing opportunities for young Sri Lankan cricketers would remain an important part of the competition as it expands.
"From a commercial perspective, the success of this season is extremely encouraging and demonstrates the growing value and appeal of the Lanka Premier League.
"However, the paramount success for us is always the cricket. We have seen some outstanding performances throughout the tournament, with young Sri Lankan players getting the opportunity to showcase their talent alongside experienced local and international cricketers.
"The LPL is an important platform for the next generation of Sri Lankan players to develop, compete at the highest level and gain exposure in front of a growing international audience. Seeing young talent step up and make an impact on this stage has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the tournament, and we want to create even more opportunities for them as we expand to six teams next season."
The identity of the sixth franchise has not yet been announced.
The 2027 edition is scheduled to return in the July-August window, with the additional franchise set to bring more players and matches into the competition.
Anil Mohan, Founder and CEO of IPG Group, the event rights holder of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), has hailed the latest season as a major success and an important step forward for the tournament. Mohan highlighted the competitive cricket produced by Sri Lanka’s leading players, emerging local talent and international stars, while also pointing to strong growth across television and digital audiences as evidence of the league’s expanding international profile.
"For next year, our plan is to expand the Lanka Premier League from five teams to six teams and extend the tournament window by approximately one additional week during the July-August period," Mohan said in a statement issued by LPL. "This will allow us to bring more players into the competition, create more high-quality matches and commercial opportunities, and further increase the league's reach."
According to the league, the latest season recorded an estimated global reach of more than 500 million viewers across television and digital platforms, with digital viewership increasing by approximately 50%. Coverage extended across South Asia, the Middle East, North America and the Caribbean, with India remaining the league's largest potential market.
"This season of the Lanka Premier League has been an outstanding success and represents an important step forward for the tournament," Mohan said. "We have seen Sri Lanka's leading players, emerging local talent and international cricketers competing together. This has produced competitive and exciting cricket throughout the season."
The expansion will mark the latest development for the Sri Lankan franchise competition as organisers look to provide more opportunities for local and international players.
This year saw Galle Gallants end their trophy drought after previously finishing as runners-up in 2020, 2021 and 2024.
The Gallants collected the winner's prize of USD 150,000, while Jaffna Kings were awarded USD 100,000 as runners-up.
Jaffna Kings' Kamil Mishara was named player of the tournament for his performances with the bat and behind the stumps, while Traveen Mathew was named emerging player of the tournament.
Tournament director Samantha Dodanwela said providing opportunities for young Sri Lankan cricketers would remain an important part of the competition as it expands.
"From a commercial perspective, the success of this season is extremely encouraging and demonstrates the growing value and appeal of the Lanka Premier League.
"However, the paramount success for us is always the cricket. We have seen some outstanding performances throughout the tournament, with young Sri Lankan players getting the opportunity to showcase their talent alongside experienced local and international cricketers.
"The LPL is an important platform for the next generation of Sri Lankan players to develop, compete at the highest level and gain exposure in front of a growing international audience. Seeing young talent step up and make an impact on this stage has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the tournament, and we want to create even more opportunities for them as we expand to six teams next season."
The identity of the sixth franchise has not yet been announced.
