SLC cancels LPL 2025 to prepare venues for T20 World Cup

Thursday, 23 October 2025 03:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Current LPL champions Jaffna Kings

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday said that the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2025 will not be held this year as originally planned.

The sixth edition of the LPL was due to be played from 27 November to 23 December at Colombo’s R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Pallekele, and Dambulla.

The decision was taken after careful consideration of the broader requirement of preparing well in advance for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India during February-March 2026, an SLC media release stated.

As per the guidelines of the International Cricket Council (ICC), all host venues for the upcoming 20-team event must be in perfect condition to meet the demands of a major international competition.

Accordingly, SLC has decided to shift the 2025 edition of the LPL to a more suitable window, allowing full focus on ensuring comprehensive venue readiness ahead of the World Cup.

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.

n Enhance and upgrade spectator stands.
nImprove and modernise facilities for players, including dressing rooms, and training areas
nUpgrade and refurbish international broadcast facilities.
nUplift media centre infrastructure to accommodate the needs of global media coverage.
nUpgrade general venue requirements for such a multi-nation event.

Currently, work is underway at three international venues in the country to enhance and uplift facilities ahead of the marquee event.

The RPICS, Colombo, which is one venue out of three venues, which temporarily paused its renovation work to host 11 matches of the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, will resume development immediately upon the completion of its scheduled games. Pallekele, Dambulla, and SSC are the other venues where work is in progress.