Lanka Premier League not to be held this year; Sri Lanka Cricket reveals reason | Cricket News
The Lanka Premier League has been postponed indefinitely to focus on preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup co-hotsed by Sri Lanka and India (Images via X/@LPLT20) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday announced that the 2025 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) has been postponed, with the board citing preparations for the 2026 ICC Menâ€s T20 World Cup as the primary reason.Sri Lanka will co-host the global event with India in February–March next year, and SLC said the decision was made to prioritise venue upgrades and ensure readiness for the major tournament.The sixth edition of the LPL was originally scheduled to begin on December 1, featuring 24 matches, which included 20 league games and four knockouts across Colombo, Kandy and Dambulla. Five franchises were set to compete twice against each other in the league phase before moving into the playoffs.In its statement, SLC said, “Accordingly, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to shift the 2025 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) to a more suitable window, allowing full focus on ensuring comprehensive venue readiness ahead of the World Cup.â€It added that the postponement would allow sufficient time to improve infrastructure. “SLC believes this decision will provide adequate time to work on enhancing and upgrading the ground infrastructure to conduct a successful tournament in the country,†the statement read.The board outlined specific improvement plans for venues selected to host World Cup matches. “Enhance and upgrade spectator stands. Improve and modernise facilities for players, including dressing rooms and training areas. Upgrade and refurbish international broadcast facilities,†SLC said.It also confirmed that the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo will resume its renovation work once it completes hosting its fixtures in the ongoing ICC Womenâ€s Cricket World Cup.
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“R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, which is one venue out of three venues, which temporarily paused its renovation work to host 11 matches of the ongoing ICC Womenâ€s Cricket World Cup 2025, will resume development immediately upon the completion of its scheduled games,†SLC added.The new dates for the LPLâ€s sixth season will be announced later.
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