LPL 2025 Set for November Return as SLC Considers Sixth Franchise Addition

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) will return for its sixth edition later this year, with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirming the tournament will be held from November 27 to December 23 across three venues: Colombo, Kandy, and Dambulla.

This marks a shift back to the November–December window for the fourth time in six years, moving away from the traditional July–August slot. The adjustment comes as part of SLC's broader strategy to align the tournament with preparations for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February.

“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,” said LPL tournament director Samantha Dodanwela.

Plans Underway for Sixth Franchise

In a notable development, the LPL could see the addition of a sixth team, with SLC currently vetting potential franchise owners. Since its inception, the league has operated with five teams representing Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Dambulla, and Jaffna.

“The inclusion of a sixth team is under consideration, and potential owners are currently being vetted,” Dodanwela confirmed.

The LPL has faced ownership instability in previous seasons. Earlier this year, both Jaffna Kings and Colombo Strikers were terminated from the league due to “failure to uphold contractual obligations,” leaving the tournament without any franchise owners from before 2024. New ownership for those two teams is expected to be announced soon.

Focus on Batting-Friendly Pitches Ahead of World Cup

As part of World Cup preparations, SLC is also prioritizing the development of more batting-friendly surfaces. The 2026 T20 World Cup is expected to be played on high-scoring pitches, and SLC is keen to ensure domestic players are accustomed to those conditions.

“We were quite happy with the wickets during the last edition, particularly in Dambulla and Kandy,” Dodanwela said. “We saw lots of high scores and even some centuries. It was only in Colombo where batting was a little harder.”

To address that, the pitches at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo are currently being re-laid. Several national players, including Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva, have also called for more batter-friendly wickets in domestic cricket to support white-ball performance.

What’s Next?

While the defending champions Jaffna Kings await a new owner, and the league prepares for potential expansion, SLC is working behind the scenes to ensure the LPL 2025 serves as a key stepping stone for Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign.

With revamped pitches, high-stakes preparation, and possibly a new team on the horizon, LPL 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most significant editions in the tournament's young history.