The Lanka Premier League (LPL) is Sri Lanka’s professional franchise-based T20 cricket tournament, organised by Sri Lanka Cricket. The competition began in 2020 and brings together local players and international stars to represent franchises named after cities and regions across the country. It has become an important platform for Sri Lankan cricketers to compete alongside overseas players in a short-format competition.
The tournament has produced several closely contested finals and multiple championship-winning teams. The Jaffna franchise has been the most successful, winning four titles across its identities as Jaffna Stallions and Jaffna Kings. B-Love Kandy won the 2023 edition, while Galle Gallants claimed their first championship in 2026 after defeating Jaffna Kings by five wickets in the final.
What Is the Lanka Premier League?
The LPL is a domestic franchise T20 tournament played in Sri Lanka. It was established in 2020 and is administered by Sri Lanka Cricket, with teams representing different cities and regions.
The league follows the standard Twenty20 format, with each side allowed a maximum of 20 overs to bat. Its squads feature Sri Lankan international players, emerging domestic cricketers and overseas professionals. The tournament provides local players with opportunities to compete against experienced international cricketers and gain experience in franchise cricket.
The LPL generally features a group stage followed by playoffs and a final. The teams compete for the championship, with the leading sides progressing through the knockout stage to determine the winner.
History of the Lanka Premier League
The LPL was launched in 2020 after earlier plans to establish the tournament had been delayed. Its inaugural season took place during the COVID-19 period, with Jaffna Stallions winning the first title after defeating Galle Gladiators in the final.
The Jaffna franchise continued its success after changing its name to Jaffna Kings. It won the 2021 and 2022 editions, becoming the first team to secure three consecutive LPL championships when its 2020 title is included.
B-Love Kandy ended Jaffna’s run in 2023 by winning the tournament under the B-Love Kandy name. Jaffna returned to the top in 2024, defeating Galle Marvels in the final to claim another championship.
The competition did not take place in 2025. It returned in 2026 with five franchises, and Galle Gallants won their first title by beating Jaffna Kings in the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The result made Galle the third franchise identity to win the competition, alongside Jaffna and Kandy.
Lanka Premier League Winners List
The following table lists the winners and runners-up of every completed LPL season through 2026.
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
| 2020 | Jaffna Stallions | Galle Gladiators |
| 2021 | Jaffna Kings | Galle Gladiators |
| 2022 | Jaffna Kings | Colombo Stars |
| 2023 | B-Love Kandy | Dambulla Aura |
| 2024 | Jaffna Kings | Galle Marvels |
| 2025 | Not held | — |
| 2026 | Galle Gallants | Jaffna Kings |
Jaffna Stallions won the inaugural competition in 2020, while Jaffna Kings added titles in 2021, 2022 and 2024. B-Love Kandy’s 2023 championship prevented the Jaffna franchise from winning four consecutive editions, and Galle Gallants became champions for the first time in 2026.
Most Successful Teams in Lanka Premier League History
The Jaffna franchise leads the LPL title count with four championships. Its first victory came under the Jaffna Stallions’ name, followed by three titles as the Jaffna Kings.
| Team or Franchise | Titles | Winning Seasons |
| Jaffna franchise | 4 | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 |
| Kandy franchise | 1 | 2023 |
| Galle franchise | 1 | 2026 |
The franchise names have changed over the years, so the title count above groups Jaffna Stallions and Jaffna Kings together and B-Love Kandy under the Kandy franchise. Galle Gallants’ 2026 win was the first championship for the Galle franchise after previous final defeats.
Lanka Premier League Teams
The 2026 edition featured five teams representing different parts of Sri Lanka. The franchises included established sides and teams returning under updated names.
Jaffna Kings
Jaffna Kings are the most successful franchise in LPL history. After winning the inaugural tournament as Jaffna Stallions in 2020, the franchise claimed further titles in 2021, 2022 and 2024. The team also reached the 2026 final but lost to Galle Gallants by five wickets.
Galle Gallants
Galle Gallants won their maiden LPL championship in 2026. Led by Dasun Shanaka, the team defeated Jaffna Kings in the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Charith Asalanka played a decisive role with the ball and was named Player of the Match.
Colombo Kaps
Colombo Kaps represented Colombo in the 2026 competition. They reached the playoffs and defeated Kandy Royals in the eliminator by 68 runs, earning a place in Qualifier 2. However, Galle Gallants defeated them by six wickets to advance to the final.
Dambulla Sixers
Dambulla Sixers were among the five franchises in the 2026 tournament. The team represented Dambulla and competed against the other sides during the league stage. The franchise continued the city’s presence in the LPL under a new team identity.
Kandy Royals
Kandy Royals represented Kandy in the 2026 season. The franchise’s city has a championship history through B-Love Kandy, which won the 2023 edition. In 2026, Kandy Royals reached the playoffs but lost to Colombo Kaps in the eliminator.
Lanka Premier League 2026
The 2026 LPL was the sixth edition of the tournament. It began on July 17, with the final held on August 8 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Five teams competed in the tournament: Jaffna Kings, Galle Gallants, Colombo Kaps, Dambulla Sixers and Kandy Royals. After the group stage and playoffs, Galle Gallants met Jaffna Kings in the final.
LPL 2026 Final: Galle Gallants vs Jaffna Kings
Jaffna Kings batted first but were bowled out for 123. Charith Asalanka produced a key bowling performance, taking three wickets for 20 runs and disrupting the Jaffna innings.
Galle Gallants chased the target successfully, finishing on 126/5 in 15.5 overs to win by five wickets with 25 balls remaining. Captain Dasun Shanaka finished the match in style, hitting a four and a six to seal the franchise’s first LPL title.
Kamil Mishara of Jaffna Kings was named Player of the Tournament for his batting performances and work behind the stumps. Asalanka received the Player of the Match award for his decisive contribution in the final.
Lanka Premier League Format
The LPL uses the T20 format, with each team playing a maximum of 20 overs in an innings. The competition is generally divided into a league stage and a playoff stage.
During the league stage, teams earn points based on their results. The leading teams then qualify for the playoffs, where they compete for places in the final. The final determines the season’s champion.
The 2026 edition featured five franchises and followed a playoff structure that included Qualifier 1, an eliminator and Qualifier 2 before the final. Jaffna Kings reached the final after winning Qualifier 1, while Galle Gallants recovered from that defeat by winning Qualifier 2 against Colombo Kaps.
Key Lanka Premier League Records
The LPL has produced several notable team achievements since its first season in 2020.
- Most titles: The Jaffna franchise has won four championships.
- Inaugural champions: Jaffna Stallions won the first edition in 2020.
- Consecutive championships: The Jaffna franchise won three successive editions from 2020 to 2022.
- 2023 champions: B-Love Kandy won the tournament after defeating Dambulla Aura in the final.
- 2024 champions: Jaffna Kings defeated Galle Marvels to claim their fourth franchise title.
- 2026 champions: Galle Gallants won their first title by defeating Jaffna Kings by five wickets.
- Most recent final venue: R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo hosted the 2026 final.
Lanka Premier League at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Lanka Premier League |
| Abbreviation | LPL |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Governing Body | Sri Lanka Cricket |
| First Season | 2020 |
| Format | Twenty20 |
| 2026 Teams | 5 |
| 2026 Champion | Galle Gallants |
| 2026 Runner-up | Jaffna Kings |
| 2026 Final Result | Galle Gallants won by 5 wickets |
| 2026 Final Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Most Successful Franchise | Jaffna franchise |
| Total Jaffna Franchise Titles | 4 |
FAQs
Q. When did the LPL begin?
A. The LPL began in 2020.
Q. Who won the LPL in 2026?
A. Galle Gallants won the 2026 title.
Q. Which team has won the most LPL titles?
A. The Jaffna franchise has won four titles.
Q. How many teams played in the 2026 LPL?
A. Five teams competed in the 2026 edition.
Q. Who was named Player of the Tournament in LPL 2026?
A. Jaffna Kings’ Kamil Mishara received the award.
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.
