The upcoming fifth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) is scheduled to take place from July 1 to July 21 this year, as announced by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). However, the tournament is expected to face competition with Major League Cricket (MLC) and The Hundred, which will also be held during the same period.
Major League Cricket’s second season commences on July 4, with the final likely to be held on July 28. Concurrently, The Hundred is scheduled to run from July 23 to August 18. This scheduling overlap poses a challenge for the LPL in attracting foreign talent, despite its popularity among local fans.
Similar to previous editions, the 2024 LPL will feature five teams, with a total of 24 matches scheduled. Each team will play against the others twice in the league stage, followed by a qualifier, an eliminator, a second eliminator, and the final. Four out of the five teams will qualify for the playoffs, maintaining the format consistent with the previous three seasons.
Over the years, the LPL has witnessed significant turnover in franchise ownership, with last year’s owners being entirely different from those in the inaugural edition in 2020. Notably, the first three editions were dominated by teams from Jaffna, captained by Thisara Perera, while the 2023 season saw B-Love Kandy, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, emerge victorious.