The 10th season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League is finally here, and it's shaping up to be the biggest edition yet. TNPL 2026 runs from August 4 to August 28, with eight franchises fighting it out across 32 T20 matches for the title. Here's everything you need to know — schedule, teams, venues, and the players worth watching this season.
TNPL 2026 quick facts
- Season: 10th edition
- Dates: August 4 – August 28, 2026
- Teams: 8
- Total matches: 32 (28 league + 4 playoffs)
- Venues: NPR College Ground, Dindigul and MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Defending champions: IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans
- Broadcast: Star Sports Tamil (TV), FanCode (streaming)
Venues and format
The tournament is split across two grounds this year. The opening phase — the first 20 league matches — will be played at NPR College Ground in Dindigul, a ground that's turned into a genuine batting paradise over the last two seasons, with first-innings totals averaging 175–180. Chasing teams have had the edge here too, winning just over half their matches.
The action then shifts to the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai for the rest of the league stage plus all four playoff matches. Chepauk plays very differently — it's traditionally a spin-friendly track, and history shows teams batting first have generally had the upper hand in T20 cricket there.
Each of the eight teams plays a single round-robin, facing every other side once. The top four then advance to the playoffs: Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final — all at Chepauk.
TNPL 2026 teams
Eight franchises are competing this season:
- IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans — defending champions, captained by R. Sai Kishore
- Chepauk Super Gillies — the most successful team in TNPL history with four titles
- Dindigul Dragons — runners-up in 2025, led by Ravichandran Ashwin
- Lyca Kovai Kings — two-time champions (2023, 2024)
- Nellai Royal Kings — known for a strong all-round core
- Salem Spartans — formerly Tuti Patriots, winners of the inaugural 2016 season
- Siechem Madurai Panthers — champions in 2018
- Trichy Grand Cholas
Tiruppur Tamizhans enter this season as defending champions after a dominant 118-run win over Dindigul Dragons in last year's final — the most one-sided result in the league's history.
Players to watch
TNPL has a strong track record of producing players who've gone on to represent India and play in the IPL — T. Natarajan, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, and R. Sai Kishore all came through this league. This season's names to watch include Sai Sudharsan and Shahrukh Khan (Kovai Kings), Baba Aparajith (Nellai Royal Kings), and Vijay Shankar (Chepauk Super Gillies).
Full schedule
| Stage | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| League matches (Phase 1) | Aug 4 – Aug 17 | NPR College Ground, Dindigul |
| League matches (Phase 2) | Aug 18 – Aug 22 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Qualifier 1 | Aug 23 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Eliminator | Aug 24 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Qualifier 2 | Aug 26 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Final | Aug 28 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
(Exact match-by-match fixtures are subject to change — check the official TNCA schedule closer to each match date and update this table if fixtures shift.)
How to watch TNPL 2026
Every match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Tamil, with live streaming available on the FanCode app and website.
Frequently asked questions
When does TNPL 2026 start?
The tournament begins on August 4, 2026, and concludes with the final on August 28.
How many teams are playing in TNPL 2026?
Eight franchises are competing this season.
Where is the TNPL 2026 final being played?
The final will be held at MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai.
Who won TNPL 2025?
IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans won their maiden title, beating Dindigul Dragons by 118 runs in the final.
Where can I watch TNPL 2026 live?
On TV via Star Sports Tamil, or streaming live on the FanCode app and website.
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