The 2025 Lanka Premier League (LPL) will not be held this year as originally planned, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced.

The decision has been 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, SLC stated in a communique.

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, Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to shift the 2025 edition of the Lanka Premier League to a more suitable window, allowing full focus on ensuring comprehensive venue readiness ahead of the World Cup.

The cricket board is of the view the decision will provide adequate time to work on enhancing and upgrading the ground infrastructure to conduct a successful tournament in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Cricket is currently preparing to host the T20 World Cup by enhancing and upgrading spectator stands, improving and modernizing facilities for players, including dressing rooms, and training areas, upgrading and refurbishing international broadcast facilities and upgrading general venue requirements for the multi-nation event.

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

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 Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will resume development immediately upon the completion of its scheduled games, SLC noted.