The tournament will again feature five teams, with franchises named for the cities of Colombo, Jaffna, Kandy, Galle, and Dambulla. The LPL will be played across three venues – the action starting in Sooriyawewa (Hambantota), before moving to Pallekele, with the business end set to be played at Khettarama (Colombo).
The format is also identical to the second edition. Each team will play each other twice in the round-robin stage, before four of the five sides move into the qualifiers, which take the form of the IPL’s final sequence. There will be a direct qualifier to the final to be played between the sides finishing first and second, before teams three and four play an eliminator. A second eliminator will then determine the other finalist.
Although Sri Lanka Cricket and the IPG group (who are the official organisers) have announced the fixtures, there is little news as to who will own the five franchises this season. The franchise names have also not been announced. More turnover in ownership is expected.
The side from Jaffna, called the Stallions under the original owners, then Kings under last season’s owners, have won both editions thus far.