Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026: Full Schedule, Teams, & Venues

Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026 kicks off on August 4 and runs through August 28, packing 32 T20 matches into 25 days.

Eight franchises compete, starting in Dindigul before the action shifts to Chennai for the playoffs and final. IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans defend the title they won for the first time last season.

This guide covers the complete TNPL 2026 schedule, teams, venues, live streaming details, prize money and the full list of champions since 2016, so you will not need to check another page for tournament information.

TNPL 2026 Quick Facts

Here is a snapshot of everything worth knowing about the season before the first ball is bowled.

TNPL 2026 Full Schedule: League Stage

The TNPL 2026 league stage runs from August 4 to August 22 and covers 28 matches.

Each of the eight teams plays every other team once in a single round robin, so every side gets seven league games before the table settles.

The first 20 matches are played at Dindigul, and the schedule then moves to Chennai for the closing round of league games plus the entire playoff phase.

TNPL 2026 Playoff Schedule

The top four teams from the league stage advance to the playoffs, which follow the familiar Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and Final structure.

All four playoff matches are played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, giving the knockout stage a proper big-match atmosphere.

TNPL 2026 Match Timings Explained

TNPL 2026 uses two standard start times through the tournament.

• Evening matches: 7:30 PM IST, used for most league games, both semifinal legs and the final.
• Afternoon matches: 3:30 PM IST, scheduled on double header days during the league stage.

So on days with two matches, expect an afternoon opener followed by a floodlit night game, much like the IPL’s double header format.

Teams Competing in TNPL 2026

Eight city based franchises are chasing the trophy this season, each carrying its own history and identity.

*Chepauk Super Gillies and Lyca Kovai Kings share the 2022 crown after that year’s final was washed out by rain. **Trichy Grand Cholas were runners-up in 2018 and 2019 while playing under earlier franchise names, Ba11sy Trichy and Ruby Trichy Warriors.

Venues Hosting TNPL 2026

Two host cities anchor the tournament this year, and each brings a distinct flavour to the competition.

NPR College Ground, Dindigul

Dindigul hosts the opening 20 league matches from August 4 to August 15. The ground has become a regular TNPL venue and is known for producing competitive, batting friendly surfaces.

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Chepauk, one of India’s oldest and most iconic grounds, takes over from August 18 and stages the remaining eight league games along with all four playoff matches.

This is the same stadium where Chennai Super Kings play their IPL home games, so fans get to watch TNPL cricket unfold on a genuinely international stage.

TNPL Format and Points System

TNPL follows a straightforward league plus playoff structure, similar to the IPL model most Indian fans already know.

• A win earns 2 points, and a no result or tie earns 1 point to each side.
• Net run rate breaks any tie in points once the league stage is done.
• The top four teams after 28 league games move into the playoffs.
• Qualifier 1 winner goes straight to the final, while the loser gets a second chance in Qualifier 2.
• The Eliminator winner then meets the Qualifier 1 loser in Qualifier 2 for the final spot.

Since the points table only fills up once matches begin on August 4, check the official TNPL website for live standings as the league stage progresses.

TNPL 2026 Auction: Key Buys and Retentions

The TNPL 2026 auction was held on July 3, with 783 players registered and 56 eventually finding a franchise.

Wicketkeeper batter Ashwanth Valthapa, who has played international cricket for the UAE, became the priciest buy at 14.45 lakh rupees, snapped up by Chepauk Super Gillies.

All-rounder U. Mukilesh was the second highest buy at 13.70 lakh rupees, going to Nellai Royal Kings.

Interestingly, Ravichandran Ashwin and Vijay Shankar were both released ahead of the auction after retiring from BCCI-affiliated domestic cricket to pursue overseas leagues, a new TNCA eligibility rule that ruled them out of TNPL 2026 entirely.

Chepauk Super Gillies walked into the auction with the deepest pockets at 24.03 lakh rupees remaining, while SKM Salem Spartans had the tightest purse at just 4.72 lakh rupees.

Players to Watch in TNPL 2026

A few names stand out heading into the season, either for their IPL pedigree or for the form they carry into TNPL 2026.

• Sai Sudharsan (Lyca Kovai Kings): fresh off a strong IPL 2026 campaign, his elegant top order batting makes him one of the tournament’s biggest draws.
• Washington Sundar (Trichy Grand Cholas): a genuine all-round threat who can shift a game with bat or ball.
• Varun Chakravarthy (Dindigul Dragons): the mystery spinner remains one of the toughest bowlers to face in the middle overs.
• R. Sai Kishore (IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans): led his side to their maiden title in 2025 and returns as a key figure for the defending champions.
• T. Natarajan (IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans): brings IPL and international death bowling experience to a title winning attack.
• Shahrukh Khan (Lyca Kovai Kings): a proven finisher whose power hitting has decided plenty of TNPL games.

Where to Watch TNPL 2026: Live Streaming and TV

FanCode holds the exclusive digital streaming rights for TNPL 2026 in India, covering every match on the app and website.

Star Sports Tamil carries the regional language TV broadcast, while Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 2 provide the English feed.

Cable and DTH viewers can find the channel through their operator’s search function, since exact channel numbers vary by region and provider.

TNPL 2026 Prize Money

TNPL’s prize purse is modest next to the IPL, but it still matters plenty to the players chasing state and India recognition through this pathway.

In recent seasons the champion team has taken home 1 crore rupees, while the runner-up has received 60 lakh rupees, and organisers have not announced any change to that structure for 2026.

Complete List of TNPL Champions (2016 to 2025)

The Tamil Nadu Premier League began in 2016, largely as a response to Chennai Super Kings’ two year suspension from the IPL, giving the state’s own cricketers a proper stage.

Chepauk Super Gillies remain the most successful franchise with four titles, and they will look to add a fifth this season under a rebuilt squad.

Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026 promises a month of high-octane T20 cricket, blending IPL regulars with grassroots talent across Dindigul and Chennai.

With IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans defending their crown and Chepauk Super Gillies chasing a fifth title, the race looks wide open. Catch every match live on FanCode or Star Sports Tamil starting August 4, and bookmark this page for updates as the tournament heads toward the August 28 final at Chepauk.

Conclusion: TNPL 2026 Starts from August 4 and will Conclude on August 28

TNPL 2026 marks 10 years of the tournament and brings fresh excitement for fans across Tamil Nadu. The season runs from August 4 to August 28, with all eight teams battling for the title in 32 matches.

The action starts in Dindigul and shifts to Chennai for the playoffs and final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans enter as defending champions after their maiden title win in 2025, adding extra weight to their campaign.

With a mix of experienced players and rising local talent, this edition promises close contests and plenty of drama. Fans can follow the full schedule, squad updates, and venue details on this page throughout the tournament.