The 2025 edition of the Lanka Premier League is set to be held from November 27 to December 23, as per an ESPNcricinfo report. The sixth season of the tournament will be staged across three venues: Colombo, Kandy and Dambulla.
This will be the fourth time in six years that the LPL is scheduled during the November-December window, instead of its originally preferred July-August slot. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has opted for the later window this year in an effort to align the tournament more closely with preparations for the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, which is set to begin in February and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
“The idea to conduct the LPL during this time frame is aimed at aligning the tournament with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” tournament director Samantha Dodanwela told ESPNcricinfo.
The shift in timing is also expected to offer selectors and the national team management a timely opportunity to assess domestic talent in a competitive environment closer to the global event. In previous editions, the LPL has served as a platform for emerging Sri Lankan players to gain exposure alongside and against overseas professionals, while also allowing international players returning from injury or looking to stay match-fit ahead of packed calendars.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway regarding the possible inclusion of a sixth franchise. Since its launch in 2020, LPL has featured five teams representing Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Dambulla and Jaffna. Dodanwela confirmed that SLC is currently vetting potential owners for the new team, though no timeline has been provided for when a final decision might be made.
The prospect of expansion comes at a time of flux for the league’s franchise structure. Earlier this year, SLC terminated the contracts of both the Jaffna Kings—widely regarded as the most successful and longest-serving team in the league’s history and the Colombo Strikers. According to the board, both teams were removed due to failure to meet contractual obligations.
As of now, the LPL has no active franchises with uninterrupted ownership dating back before the 2024 season. New owners for both Colombo and Jaffna are expected to be confirmed ahead of the 2025 edition. There is cautious optimism within SLC that a fresh round of ownership could bring more financial stability and longer-term commitment to the league, which has struggled with continuity since its inception.
Despite these challenges, the LPL has grown steadily in profile, with each season seeing improvements in broadcast reach, overseas player participation and overall competitiveness. The 2024 edition saw a number of close finishes and standout individual performances, contributing to a spike in local interest and viewership.
With the T20 World Cup on the horizon and potential new investors entering the fold, the upcoming season could prove pivotal in shaping the long-term future of the league.
This will be the fourth time in six years that the LPL is scheduled during the November-December window, instead of its originally preferred July-August slot. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has opted for the later window this year in an effort to align the tournament more closely with preparations for the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, which is set to begin in February and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
“The idea to conduct the LPL during this time frame is aimed at aligning the tournament with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” tournament director Samantha Dodanwela told ESPNcricinfo.
The shift in timing is also expected to offer selectors and the national team management a timely opportunity to assess domestic talent in a competitive environment closer to the global event. In previous editions, the LPL has served as a platform for emerging Sri Lankan players to gain exposure alongside and against overseas professionals, while also allowing international players returning from injury or looking to stay match-fit ahead of packed calendars.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway regarding the possible inclusion of a sixth franchise. Since its launch in 2020, LPL has featured five teams representing Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Dambulla and Jaffna. Dodanwela confirmed that SLC is currently vetting potential owners for the new team, though no timeline has been provided for when a final decision might be made.
The prospect of expansion comes at a time of flux for the league’s franchise structure. Earlier this year, SLC terminated the contracts of both the Jaffna Kings—widely regarded as the most successful and longest-serving team in the league’s history and the Colombo Strikers. According to the board, both teams were removed due to failure to meet contractual obligations.
As of now, the LPL has no active franchises with uninterrupted ownership dating back before the 2024 season. New owners for both Colombo and Jaffna are expected to be confirmed ahead of the 2025 edition. There is cautious optimism within SLC that a fresh round of ownership could bring more financial stability and longer-term commitment to the league, which has struggled with continuity since its inception.
Despite these challenges, the LPL has grown steadily in profile, with each season seeing improvements in broadcast reach, overseas player participation and overall competitiveness. The 2024 edition saw a number of close finishes and standout individual performances, contributing to a spike in local interest and viewership.
With the T20 World Cup on the horizon and potential new investors entering the fold, the upcoming season could prove pivotal in shaping the long-term future of the league.
