The Lanka Premier League is making a much-awaited comeback for the 2026 season. The island nation’s premier domestic T20 competition is back after a two-year break with new franchise identities; new rules—including the introduction of an Impact Player and a mandatory Under-23 player rule—and a busy schedule.
LPL 2026 Schedule: Full Match Dates, Timings & Venues
Tournament Summary
Dates: July 17-August 8, 2026
Total Matches: 24 matches (Including playoffs)
Defending champions: SC Jaffna Kings
Teams taking part: SC Jaffna Kings, Colombo Kaps, Kandy Royals, Galle Gallants and Dambulla VI
Timings of the Matches
The matches are divided into two standard slots to suit global audiences and local prime-time viewing (all times in Indian Standard Time / Sri Lanka Time):
- Afternoon Match: 3:00 PM IST
- Evening Matches: 7:30 PM IST.
Host Venues
The tournament will be held in four iconic cricket stadiums in Sri Lanka so that fans across the country get to experience the action:
- Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
- R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
- Kandy’s Pallekele International Cricket Ground
- Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka
The Complete Schedule (Day by Day)
The action starts on July 17th with a blockbuster rematch of the 2024 final between the reigning champions, Jaffna Kings, and the Galle Gallants.
League Stage July 17: Galle Gallants vs Jaffna Kings
- July 18: Kandy Royals vs Dambulla Sixers (Double Header) | Galle Gallants vs Colombo Kaps
- July 19: Dambulla Sixers vs Jaffna Kings (Double Header) | Kandy Royals vs Colombo Kaps
- July 21: Dambulla Sixers v Kandy Royals
- July 22: Colombo Kaps vs Jaffna Kings (Double Header) | Dambulla Sixers vs Galle Gallants
- July 23: Kandy Royals vs Colombo Kaps (Double Header) | Galle Gallants vs Jaffna Kings.
- July 25: Galle Gallants v Kandy Royals (Double Header), Dambulla Sixers v Colombo Kaps
- July 26: Kandy Royals v Jaffna Kings (Double Header) | Galle Gallants v Dambulla Sixers
- July 28: Colombo Kaps v Jaffna Kings
- July 29: Galle Gallants v Kandy Royals (Double Header) | Colombo Kaps v Dambulla Sixers
- July 30: Kandy Royals v Jaffna Kings
August 1: Galle Gallants v Colombo Kaps
August 2: Dambulla Sixers v Jaffna Kings
The Playoffs & The Finals
The top four teams will clash in the high-stakes knockout rounds after the league stage.
- August 5: Double header (Qualifier 1 & Eliminator)
- August 7: 2nd Qualifier
- 8 August: The LPL 2026 Grand Final
