Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has made the official decision to postpone the 2025 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) to focus on preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which the country will co-host with India in February-March next year. Originally planned for late November to late December this year, the tournament has been rescheduled to prioritize enhancing the nation’s cricket infrastructure for the upcoming global event.
SLC stated that the move was carefully considered to ensure adequate readiness for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. According to ICC regulations, all host venues for the 20-team tournament must be in optimal condition to meet the standards of an international competition. Therefore, SLC has chosen to allocate resources and efforts towards venue preparation instead of hosting the domestic T20 league this year.
The board outlined a detailed plan to upgrade infrastructure at key venues, focusing on improving spectator amenities, player facilities, media accommodations, and broadcasting quality. The ongoing upgrades include renovating spectator stands, modernizing dressing rooms, refurbishing broadcast facilities, enhancing media center infrastructure, and general venue improvements.
Renovation work is currently underway at major international venues, such as the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS) in Colombo. RPICS temporarily halted its upgrades to host matches for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 and will resume development post the event. With Sri Lanka playing a pivotal role in hosting the T20 World Cup 2026, SLC’s decision underscores its commitment to meeting global standards and providing a top-notch experience for players and fans.
This strategic approach aims to ensure that the country’s venues are well-prepared to deliver a successful tournament and uphold international standards.