The Lanka Premier League (LPL) is ready for its biggest season to date, with the 2025 edition set to be held between December 1 and December 23 in Colombo, Kandy, and Dambulla. This is the sixth edition of Sri Lanka's premier T20 league, which was originally postponed but has now been officially scheduled with the objective of fitting in tighter to the 2026 T20 World Cup. What adds more spice to this edition is the entry of Indian cricketers for the first time ever since the inception of the league. The next season will not only be the longest in the history of LPL, lasting more than 24 days, but also the most competitive, with five teams competing in a total of 24 games, consisting of 20 league matches and four playoffs. Indian Players to Make LPL Debut In a groundbreaking decision, the LPL 2025 is set to feature Indian cricketers for the first time. The news has created tremendous excitement throughout the cricketing fraternity, particularly among Indian and Sri Lankan cricket enthusiasts. Reports by PTI have that the organisers have confirmed some Indian players are likely to be part of the sixth edition. But their names have not been officially announced. In a statement, organisers said: “For the very first time, Indian cricketers are expected to join the action; their names will be revealed soon, adding a whole new level of excitement for fans across the region.” The addition of Indian players is a huge boost to the global popularity and viewership of the LPL. The action is also likely to promote cricketing ties between India and Sri Lanka, two of Asia's most passionate cricketing nations. Also Read | How Rohit Sharma Built India’s Winning Strategy for ICC Trophies LPL 2025 Schedule and Venues The Lanka Premier League 2025 will be held at three top facilities in Sri Lanka: R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla The tournament will start on December 1, 2025, and end with the final on December 23, 2025. According to the format, all five franchises will meet twice in the league stage. The top four teams will qualify for the playoffs at the culmination of the round-robin stage. The Qualifier 1 will match the top two teams against each other, with the qualifier directly entering the final. The Eliminator will be played between the third and fourth teams. The Eliminator winner will then play the Qualifier 1 loser in Qualifier 2, which will determine the second finalist. This year's edition will feature 24 matches, the tournament's record number, with non-stop T20 action for fans for three weeks. Tournament Director on LPL's Expansion and Goals The LPL has increased in popularity steadily since its launch in 2020, and organisers are keen to ensure 2025 is a record-breaking season. Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela stated the new schedule and format are intended to provide players with the optimum preparation in the lead-up to a global year of cricket. Dodanwela said: “The timing of this edition has been carefully chosen to ensure that players gain maximum exposure and high-quality match practice in the lead-up to a global cricketing year." He further stated that the LPL remains a very robust platform for emerging players to prove themselves. “Over the seasons, the LPL has emerged as a breeding ground for fresh talent, with several youngsters making their mark alongside international stars. This year too, we believe the league will throw up exciting new names who can go on to spring surprises on the world stage ahead of the World Cup.” Also Read | Top 10 Openers with Most Centuries in Test Cricket LPL 2025 to Clash with ILT20 and BBL The LPL calendar being stretched now actually conflicts with other big T20 leagues like the Big Bash League (BBL) of Australia and the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE. The ILT20 2025-26 runs from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026, while the BBL will be conducted between December 14, 2025, and January 25, 2026. Despite these overlaps, the LPL organisers remain confident that the timing works perfectly for both local and international players. According to Dodanwela, the December slot helps players stay in rhythm ahead of a packed global cricketing year. He further added that Sri Lanka’s growing reputation as a premier cricketing destination and the inclusion of Indian players would help the LPL hold its own against global T20 leagues.