Colombo, June 26 -- The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 is set to return with its biggest and most connected season yet, with the official fixtures confirming a July 17 to August 8 window for the sixth edition.

The tournament opens under lights at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, where defending champions Jaffna Kings--captained by Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa and powered by Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al Hasan--begin their title defence against Dasun Shanaka's Galle Gallants in what promises to be a blockbuster curtain-raiser, according to a release.

The opening weekend quickly shifts into another marquee contest as Indian international Vijay Shankar and England white-ball great Moeen Ali lead Kandy Royals into battle a...