Retired cricket legends are coming back to the field. The Legends League Cricket 2026 kicks off on March 11 and runs until March 27.
Over 97 former international stars will compete across four Indian cities in 19 T20 matches.
This is the biggest LLC season yet. Six franchises spent INR 30.56 crore to build their squads.
Names like Chris Gayle, Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, and Martin Guptill will play again.
For fans who grew up watching these players dominate Tests, ODIs, and T20s, this is a rare chance to see them compete one more time.
Legends League Cricket 2026
What Is Legends League Cricket?
LLC started in 2022 in Oman. World Giants won the first title under Jacques Kallis.
A second edition followed in India later that year, with the Indian Captains claiming the trophy.
The 2023 season had two champions. Asia Lions won the Masters edition in Doha. Manipal Tigers took the main season in Visakhapatnam.
Last year’s final was unforgettable. Southern Super Stars beat Konark Suryas Odisha in a Super Over at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.
Martin Guptill smashed two sixes off the first two balls to seal the win. Southern Super Stars enter 2026 as defending champions.
Legends League Cricket 2026 Schedule
The league stage runs from March 11 to March 23. Each team plays the other five teams once.
That gives us 15 league matches. Four playoff games follow to decide the champion.
Mumbai Spartans and India Captains open the tournament on March 11 at the Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Haldwani.
The final is set for March 27, though playoff venues aren’t confirmed yet.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 11 | Mumbai Spartans vs India Captains | Haldwani, Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium | 7:30 PM |
| March 12 | Royal Riders Punjab vs India Tigers | Haldwani, Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium | 7:30 PM |
| March 13 | Konark Suryas Odisha vs Southern Super Stars | Coimbatore, Sri Ramakrishna College Ground | 7:30 PM |
| March 14 | Mumbai Spartans vs India Tigers | Haldwani, Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium | 7:30 PM |
| March 15 | Konark Suryas Odisha vs Royal Riders Punjab | Coimbatore, Sri Ramakrishna College Ground | 7:30 PM |
| March 16 | India Captains vs Southern Super Stars | Amritsar, Gandhi Sports Complex Ground | 2:30 PM |
| March 17 | Royal Riders Punjab vs Southern Super Stars | Amritsar, Gandhi Sports Complex Ground | 2:30 PM |
| March 17 | Mumbai Spartans vs Konark Suryas Odisha | Gwalior, Captain Roop Singh Stadium | 7:30 PM |
| March 18 | India Captains vs India Tigers | Coimbatore, Sri Ramakrishna College Ground | 7:30 PM |
| March 19 | Mumbai Spartans vs Southern Super Stars | Gwalior, Captain Roop Singh Stadium | 7:30 PM |
| March 20 | Konark Suryas Odisha vs India Tigers | Amritsar, Gandhi Sports Complex Ground | 2:30 PM |
| March 21 | India Captains vs Royal Riders Punjab | Gwalior, Captain Roop Singh Stadium | 7:30 PM |
| March 22 | Southern Super Stars vs India Tigers | Amritsar, Gandhi Sports Complex Ground | 2:30 PM |
| March 22 | Konark Suryas Odisha vs India Captains | Gwalior, Captain Roop Singh Stadium | 7:30 PM |
| March 23 | Mumbai Spartans vs Royal Riders Punjab | Amritsar, Gandhi Sports Complex Ground | 2:30 PM |
| March 24 | Qualifier 1 (TBC vs TBC) | TBC | 7:30 PM |
| March 25 | Eliminator (TBC vs TBC) | TBC | 7:30 PM |
| March 26 | Qualifier 2 (TBC vs TBC) | TBC | 7:30 PM |
| March 27 | Final (TBC vs TBC) | TBC | 7:30 PM |
March 17 and March 22 each feature two matches. These double-header days give fans more action in a single day.
Legends League Cricket 2026 Teams and Key Players
All six franchises built their rosters through a player auction. They signed 97 cricketers for a combined INR 30.56 crore. Another INR 9.00 crore is available for direct signings before the tournament starts.
- Mumbai Spartans
Suresh Raina leads this squad. He held the IPL run-scoring record for years and brings sharp fielding and quick footwork. Carlos Brathwaite adds power hitting. S Sreesanth provides experienced pace bowling. Chadwick Walton and Isuru Udana round out a balanced lineup.
- India Captains
Irfan Pathan captains a team that includes Hashim Amla, one of South Africa’s finest batsmen. Hamilton Masakadza brings Zimbabwe’s experience. Sheldon Jackson and Lahiru Thirimanne add depth to the middle order.
- Royal Riders Punjab
Thisara Perera leads this squad with his all-round skills. Asghar Afghan brings calm leadership. M.S Shahzad is known for aggressive opening batting. Rishi Dhawan and Angelo Perera add variety in bowling and batting.
- India Tigers
Chris Gayle is the headline name here. At 46, the Universe Boss still draws huge crowds. Shikhar Dhawan and Aaron Finch form a dangerous top order alongside him. Robin Uthappa and Pawan Negi complete a star-studded roster.
- Konark Suryas Odisha
Ross Taylor anchors the middle order. He’s New Zealand’s all-time leading Test run scorer. Piyush Chawla’s leg-spin gives them a wicket-taking option. Ben Dunk, Vinay Kumar, and Naman Ojha provide experience across all departments.
- Southern Super Stars
Martin Guptill won the 2024 final almost single-handedly. He returns as the defending champion’s key player. Harbhajan Singh brings his crafty off-spin. Dinesh Karthik adds wicketkeeping and finishing skills. Dilshan Munaweera and Hamid Hassan complete a strong squad.
Players Who Could Define the Tournament
- Chris Gayle doesn’t need an introduction. He’s hit more T20 sixes than almost anyone. His presence alone makes every India Tigers match a must-watch cricket match. When Gayle walks to the crease, bowlers still worry.
- Suresh Raina brings energy and leadership. His quick footwork against spin and sharp fielding made him an IPL legend. Now he captains Mumbai Spartans with the same intensity he brought to Chennai Super Kings.
- Martin Guptill proved last year he’s still got it. Two sixes off the first two balls in the Super Over showed he thrives under pressure. Southern Super Stars will rely on him again.
- Shikhar Dhawan loves the big stage. His charisma and consistency make him a fan favorite. Partnering with Gayle and Finch gives India Tigers one of the strongest top threes in the tournament.
- Ross Taylor offers calm in chaos. His ability to anchor an innings gives Konark Suryas stability. Paired with Piyush Chawla’s spin, they have a balanced side.
Where the Matches Will Be Played?
LLC 2026 brings cricket to cities that rarely host major tournaments.
- Haldwani opens the season. The Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uttarakhand hosts the first four matches. This city rarely sees top-tier cricket, making it special for local fans.
- Coimbatore hosts games at the Sri Ramakrishna College Ground. Tamil Nadu has a strong cricket culture, and four league matches will be played here.
- Amritsar welcomes cricket to Punjab at the Gandhi Sports Complex Ground. Matches here start at 2:30 PM IST, giving fans afternoon entertainment instead of the usual evening games.
- Gwalior rounds out the venues with the Captain Roop Singh Stadium. This historic Madhya Pradesh ground has hosted international cricket before and brings big-match atmosphere.
How Points and Playoffs Work?
The round-robin league stage gives every team five matches. Each win earns 2 points. A no-result or abandoned game gives 1 point to each side. Losses earn nothing.
The top four teams advance to the playoffs. If teams finish on equal points, Net Run Rate decides the standings. That means every run scored or conceded matters, even in one-sided games.
The playoff format includes Qualifier 1, an Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. This setup keeps pressure on teams throughout the league stage. A washed-out match or narrow loss can change everything.
Legends League Cricket 2026 Fixtures
The Legends League Cricket 2026 fixtures span 17 days across four venues.
Every team plays each opponent once in the league stage.
The schedule balances travel with match frequency, giving teams recovery time between games.
March 17 and March 22 feature double-headers. These days, let fans watch two matches instead of one.
For teams playing both games, fitness and squad depth become crucial.
Expert Insight: Why This Format Works?
The round-robin setup means every match carries weight. Teams can’t rely on a late surge to make the playoffs.
One bad performance or a rain-affected game can hurt their chances.
The double-header days on March 17 and March 22 test squad depth. Teams with strong benches will have an advantage.
Expect captains to rotate bowlers carefully and manage workloads.
The four venues also bring variety. Haldwani and Gwalior might offer pace and bounce. Coimbatore’s red soil could help spinners.
Amritsar’s afternoon games might favor batsmen early before dew sets in. Teams that adapt quickly will thrive.
Where to Watch LLC 2026?
| Platform Type | Channel/Platform | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Digital (India) | FanCode | Exclusive primary digital partner for Legends League Cricket 2026 |
| Television (India) | Sony Sports Network | Official TV broadcaster for the tournament in India |
Legends League Cricket 2026 Squads
The Legends League Cricket 2026 squads feature 97 former international cricketers.
Each franchise spent big to build balanced lineups. The auction shows this league isn’t just nostalgia. It’s serious cricket with real competition.
Players from multiple countries bring different styles. West Indians add explosive batting.
South Asians offer spin variety. Australians and New Zealanders bring pace and power.
The squads also show strategic thinking. Some teams loaded up on batsmen for high-scoring games.
Others focused on spinners expecting turning pitches. Teams that read conditions well will go far.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does Legends League Cricket 2026 start?
The tournament starts on March 11, 2026, with Mumbai Spartans playing the India Captains in Haldwani.
- How many teams are playing in LLC 2026?
Six franchises are competing: Mumbai Spartans, India Captains, Royal Riders Punjab, India Tigers, Konark Suryas Odisha, and Southern Super Stars.
- Where can I watch Legends League Cricket 2026?
FanCode streams all matches digitally in India. Sony Sport Network broadcasts on television.
- Who won Legends League Cricket 2024?
Southern Super Stars beat Konark Suryas Odisha in a Super Over. Martin Guptill hit two sixes to win the match.
- Which cities will host LLC 2026 matches?
Four cities host matches: Haldwani, Coimbatore, Amritsar, and Gwalior.
Why LLC 2026 Matters?
Legends League Cricket 2026 does something no other tournament can. It lets retired cricketers stay connected to the sport they shaped.
Fans get to watch their childhood heroes one more time. Cities that rarely host big cricket events welcome international stars.
The auction spending shows this isn’t just a farewell tour. Teams invested INR 30.56 crore across 97 players.
The competition is real. The rosters are deep. The stakes feel genuine.
Starting March 11 from Haldwani, LLC 2026 promises 17 days of entertainment, star power, and the kind of cricket that reminds you why you fell in love with the game.
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