Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is one of Bangladesh’s premier T20 cricket competitions, launched in 2012 and featuring city-based franchises that compete through a league stage before entering high-pressure playoffs. Over the years, the league has grown into a vibrant showcase of domestic talent and international stars, earning a strong following among Indian cricket fans. Its mix of fast-paced matches, packed stadiums, and fierce rivalries has helped the BPL secure its place among the most exciting T20 leagues in the region.
With past champions such as the Dhaka Gladiators, Comilla Victorians, and Rajshahi Royals, the tournament has produced memorable seasons and rising cricketing narratives. The most recent 2025-2026 edition, played from December 26, 2025 to January 23, 2026, delivered another dramatic finish as the Rajshahi Warriors claimed the title after defeating the Chattogram Royals by 63 runs in the final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Powered by standout performances, the Warriors lifted the trophy in style, setting the tone for what fans can expect in the seasons ahead.
Introduction
With its fast-paced action, thrilling rivalries, and display of domestic and international cricketing skills, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is the beating heart of professional Twenty20 cricket in Bangladesh. Since its launch in 2012, the BPL, which is run by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), has developed into one of the top T20 tournaments in South Asia. With a dynamic blend of intense games, fervent supporters, and memorable events, the league has established a distinct niche for itself in the world of cricket. This article celebrates the league's development and its importance in Bangladeshi sports culture while delving deeply into the BPL's core elements, including the league's former winners, BPL cricket format and teams, and match schedule.
In addition to being a cricket competition, the BPL is a celebration that brings together supporters from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, and beyond. Teams compete for glory and represent their respective regions. The BPL epitomizes Bangladesh's cricket transformation, from the fierce rivalry between Barishal and Rangpur to the rise of elite players like Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. This guide will give you a comprehensive understanding of what makes the BPL a must-watch spectacle by walking you through the most recent season, discussing past triumphs, and breaking down the league's structure and history, along with insights into the teams, players, and key moments that have shaped the competition.
For those who prefer to explore this in more depth in another language, we’ve also prepared an article in Hindi (बांग्लादेश प्रीमियर लीग (BPL) हिंदी समीक्षा) that covers the same essential details along with local context, player highlights, and regional fan insights that you might not want to miss. Whether you're following BPL for the passion, the players, or a deeper understanding of the competition, this guide brings together the key information surrounding the league and its place in Bangladesh's cricket culture.
Best Online Betting Sites in India - September 2026
Current Season
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-2026 season took place from December 26, 2025 to January 23, 2026, marking an important edition that introduced several structural and organizational changes compared with previous years. The completed season attracted strong interest from cricket viewers in Bangladesh and across India, adding to the league's growing profile in the regional T20 calendar.
The 2025-2026 BPL concluded with the Rajshahi Warriors defeating the Chattogram Royals by 63 runs in the final at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. This victory secured Rajshahi's second BPL title, capping off a season defined by disciplined bowling, consistent middle-order batting, and strong tactical decisions.
The league featured six franchises:
- Dhaka Capitals
- Chattogram Royals
- Rajshahi Warriors
- Rangpur Riders
- Sylhet Titans
- and the newly introduced: Noakhali Express
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expanded the lineup compared to the previous year, aiming to increase regional representation and balance scheduling. Matches were staged across Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chattogram, with Sylhet delivering some of the most vibrant atmospheres thanks to its modern facilities and passionate crowds. The timing of the tournament also allowed the competition to proceed without major disruption from Bangladesh's domestic calendar.
The venues for the BPL 2025-2026 played a central role in shaping the season's identity, each bringing a distinct flavor to the competition. Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka once again served as the heart of the tournament, hosting the playoff matches including the final. Sylhet International Cricket Stadium continued to be a fan favorite, while Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram remained an important regional venue. Together, the grounds provided the backdrop for a season that brought the BPL to three of Bangladesh's major cricket centers.
Television and digital broadcasting remained an important part of the BPL 2025-2026, with coverage giving fans broader access to matches across television and digital platforms. The season also featured enhanced production and presentation, helping bring the tournament to a wider regional audience.
The prize structure for this edition remained an important part of the tournament, with the champions and runners-up receiving substantial financial rewards. The prize pool reflected the BPL's continued ambition to strengthen its position among established T20 competitions.
Hosting the tournament entirely within Bangladesh was a deliberate choice, reinforcing the BPL's identity as the country's flagship domestic T20 competition while allowing matches to be staged at established venues in Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chattogram.
Looking ahead, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has formally halted the tournament for the 2026-2027 cycle, following a turbulent period marked by financial losses, unpaid franchise dues, and extensive anti-corruption investigations. The league will not take place during the 2026-2027 cycle as the board undertakes a broader review of the competition's structure and governance after concerns involving franchise compliance and integrity. With financial and administrative issues requiring attention, the focus has shifted from scheduling to rebuilding the competition's governance framework. Any future edition will depend on the board resolving its financial safeguards, franchise compliance mechanisms, and anti-corruption protocols, making 2026-2027 a deliberate pause rather than a postponed window.
Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Auction
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) auction held on November 30, 2025 at Hotel Le Méridien Dhaka marked the return of an auction-based player selection process after the league had relied on the draft system. Local players were divided into categories based on their base prices, while overseas players were also grouped into separate categories. The auction reshaped team balances, with franchises strengthening their squads ahead of a highly competitive season.
Notable buys included: Litton Das retained by Dhaka Capitals, while franchises also targeted established local and overseas players to strengthen their squads for the BPL 2025-2026 season.
Ongoing September 2026 Events
 |
ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test | June 17, 2025 – June 13, 2027 | LIVE |
|
ICC Women's Championship ODI | February 20, 2026 – April 15, 2029 | LIVE |
  |
County Championship FC | April 3, 2026 – September 27, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's One-Day Cup List A | April 11, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
One-Day Cup List A | July 21, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
 |
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 | August 7, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
 |
England vs Pakistan Test | August 19, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
 |
Duleep Trophy FC | August 23, 2026 – September 10, 2026 | |
   |
European T20 Premier League (ETPL) T20 | August 26, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's Asia Cup T20I | August 28, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) T20 | September 5–17, 2026 | LIVE |
 |
Minor League Cricket (MiLC) T20 | September 17, 2026 – October 25, 2026 | |
|
Cricket at the Asian Games T20I | September 17, 2026 – October 3, 2026 | |
  |
South Africa vs Australia Tour | September 24, 2026 – October 31, 2026 |
Ongoing September 2026 Events
|
ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test | June 17, 2025 – June 13, 2027 | LIVE |
|
ICC Women's Championship ODI | February 20, 2026 – April 15, 2029 | LIVE |
|
County Championship FC | April 3, 2026 – September 27, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's One-Day Cup List A | April 11, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
One-Day Cup List A | July 21, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 | August 7, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
England vs Pakistan Test | August 19, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Duleep Trophy FC | August 23, 2026 – September 10, 2026 | |
|
European T20 Premier League (ETPL) T20 | August 26, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's Asia Cup T20I | August 28, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) T20 | September 5–17, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Minor League Cricket (MiLC) T20 | September 17, 2026 – October 25, 2026 | |
|
Cricket at the Asian Games T20I | September 17, 2026 – October 3, 2026 | |
|
South Africa vs Australia Tour | September 24, 2026 – October 31, 2026 |
Previous Seasons
Since its debut season in 2012, the Bangladesh Premier League has expanded significantly, attracting fresh talent, creative tactics, and memorable events with every passing season. Bangladesh's cricketing landscape entered a new chapter in 2012 when the first season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) began with much fanfare. In the inaugural final, the Dhaka Gladiators defeated the Barisal Burners to become the first-ever BPL champions. One of the most impressive performances came from Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who played an important role in Dhaka's victory with three wickets in the final. During the season, Mashrafe Mortaza led the Dhaka Gladiators with his performances and leadership, while Chris Gayle also featured in the tournament.
Past Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Editions
- 2026 Season
The Rajshahi Warriors captured the BPL 2026 title, delivering a dominant campaign that peaked with a 63-run win in the final against the Chattogram Royals. The victory marked the franchise's second BPL title and added a fresh chapter to the league's history. Tanzid Hasan's century in the final helped Rajshahi post 174 for 4 before their bowlers dismissed Chattogram for 111. The result gave the Rajshahi-based franchise its first title since the Rajshahi Royals won the 2019-2020 edition.
- 2025 Season
Fortune Barishal made BPL history in 2025 by successfully defending their title, becoming the third team in the league's history to win consecutive championships. They defeated Chittagong Kings by three wickets in the final after chasing 195, with Tamim Iqbal's 54 and Kyle Mayers' 46 helping them complete the highest successful chase in a BPL final at the time. The result confirmed Barishal as back-to-back champions after their maiden title in 2024.
- 2024 Season
Fortune Barishal broke Comilla Victorians' run of titles and added a new name to the list of BPL champions in 2024 when they won their first-ever BPL title. Barishal defeated Comilla Victorians by six wickets in the final, with Kyle Mayers producing an all-round performance and Tamim Iqbal contributing with the bat. The victory was a significant milestone for the franchise after previously finishing as runners-up.
- 2023 Season
In 2023, the Comilla Victorians accomplished an incredible achievement by taking home their fourth BPL championship. They defeated the Sylhet Strikers by seven wickets in the final to secure their second successive title and extend their record as the competition's most successful franchise at the time. Johnson Charles and Litton Das played key roles in the final as Comilla completed the chase with four balls to spare.
- 2022 Season
The Comilla Victorians won their second BPL championship in 2022, returning to the top after their first title in 2015. They defeated the Fortune Barishal in the final, continuing their strong record in the competition. The victory began another successful period for Comilla, who followed it by retaining the trophy in 2023 and eventually reaching four titles overall.
- 2019 Season
To decide the champion of the 2019-2020 Bangladesh Premier League, the Khulna Tigers and Rajshahi Royals played a day/night Twenty20 match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on January 17, 2020. To win their first BPL championship, Rajshahi Royals defeated the opposition by 21 runs. Andre Russell led the side during their successful campaign and was named Player of the Tournament.
- 2018 Season
To decide the winner of the 2018-2019 Bangladesh Premier League, the Comilla Victorians and Dhaka Dynamites played a day/night Twenty20 cricket match on February 8, 2019, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The Comilla Victorians defeated the Dhaka Dynamites by 17 runs to claim their second BPL title.
- 2017 Season
The Rangpur Riders defeated the Dhaka Dynamites in the final to win the BPL for the first time in 2017. Chris Gayle produced one of the tournament's most memorable performances in the final, scoring a record 146 not out from 69 balls. His outstanding contribution helped Rangpur secure their first BPL trophy.
- 2016 Season
After a thrilling campaign, the Dhaka Dynamites emerged victorious in the 2016 season by defeating the Rajshahi Kings by 56 runs in the final. Led by Shakib Al Hasan, Dhaka posted 159 for 9 before dismissing Rajshahi for 103. Kumar Sangakkara was named Player of the Match after contributing to Dhaka's successful title-winning performance.
- 2015 Season
The 2015 BPL season will always be remembered, especially because of the Comilla Victorians, who won the championship in their first season. Mashrafe Mortaza captained the side as they overcame the Barisal Bulls by three wickets in the final. Imrul Kayes top-scored with 53, while Alok Kapali's unbeaten 39 helped Comilla complete the chase and secure their maiden BPL title.
- 2013 Season
The competition was more intense in the second season of the BPL, but the Dhaka Gladiators made it to the final once more and successfully defended their title by defeating the Chittagong Kings by 43 runs. Chris Gayle produced a memorable individual performance during the tournament, blasting 146 runs from just 69 balls in one of the matches. The victory made Dhaka the first team to win consecutive BPL titles.
- 2012 Season
Bangladesh's cricketing landscape entered a new chapter in 2012 with the inaugural Bangladesh Premier League season. In the final, the Dhaka Gladiators defeated the Barisal Burners by eight wickets to become the first BPL champions. Imran Nazir starred with 75 from 43 balls, while Shahid Afridi took three wickets as Dhaka chased down Barisal's 140 with 26 balls to spare.
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Final Result | Event / Final Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Rajshahi Warriors | Chattogram Royals | Rajshahi Warriors won by 63 runs | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2024-2025 | Fortune Barishal | Chittagong Kings | Fortune Barishal won by 3 wickets | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2023-2024 | Fortune Barishal | Comilla Victorians | Fortune Barishal won by 6 wickets | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2022-2023 | Comilla Victorians | Sylhet Strikers | Comilla Victorians won by 7 wickets | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2021-2022 | Comilla Victorians | Fortune Barishal | Comilla Victorians won by 1 run | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2018-2019 | Rajshahi Royals | Khulna Tigers | Rajshahi Royals won by 21 runs | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2017-2018 | Comilla Victorians | Dhaka Dynamites | Comilla Victorians won by 17 runs | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2016-2017 | Rangpur Riders | Dhaka Dynamites | Rangpur Riders won by 57 runs | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2015-2016 | Dhaka Dynamites | Rajshahi Kings | Dhaka Dynamites won by 56 runs | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2014-2015 | Comilla Victorians | Barisal Bulls | Comilla Victorians won by 3 wickets | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2012-2013 | Dhaka Gladiators | Chittagong Kings | Dhaka Gladiators won by 43 runs | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
| 2012 | Dhaka Gladiators | Barisal Burners | Dhaka Gladiators won by 8 wickets | Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka |
* 2013-2014 season was canceled due to political circumstances
* 2019-2020 & 2020-2021 seasons did not take place due to COVID-19
* 2026-2027 season was canceled dur financial issues
History and Structure
The BPL structure and history are closely linked. The league was established to develop a thriving domestic T20 league that would foster local talent while providing entertainment. The league's rules, regulations, and financial administration are all ultimately under the BCB's jurisdiction as the governing body.
At first, the BPL used a franchise concept in which team ownership rights were given for a set amount of time. Over the years, this concept has seen several ownership changes and revisions. The league's structure, which consists of a league stage and playoffs, has mainly remained unchanged, guaranteeing an equitable and thrilling run to the championship game.
The format of the BPL is intended to encourage a balance of competition while permitting different teams to use different player acquisition strategies. One important component is the yearly player draft, in which teams select both domestic and foreign cricket players. By distributing talent around the league, this procedure keeps any one club from dominating for an extended period. To support the growth of Bangladeshi cricket players, the league also contains rules governing the maximum number of foreign players permitted in the playing XI.
The BPL has had difficulties throughout the years, including financial anomalies and disputes over player compensation. The BCB recently revealed intentions to implement a revenue-sharing model for the BPL, which is a major step in addressing these problems and guaranteeing financial stability. In May 2025, the BPL governing council decided to divide ticket sales proceeds among the franchises according to their final standings. As long as they settle any outstanding player payments, the new model will provide playoff teams about $45,000 and other teams about $36,000. By taking this preemptive measure, the BCB demonstrates its dedication to maintaining contractual accountability and maintaining the league's integrity, which will ensure the BPL has a more viable future.
With more sponsors and broadcasters investing in the league, its business viability has also increased. This financial support is essential for drawing in elite players, preserving high production standards, and guaranteeing the BPL's overall success.
Final Thoughts
The Bangladesh Premier League has grown into one of the most recognizable T20 competitions in the subcontinent, shaped by its vibrant mix of domestic talent and international experience. Since its inception in 2012, the league has provided a platform where emerging Bangladeshi players can test their skills against seasoned global performers, helping raise the overall standard of cricket in the country. Its franchise-based model, competitive structure, and regular annual schedule have ensured that the tournament remains a key fixture for fans who follow fast-paced cricket with passion and curiosity.
Across its various eras, the league has navigated challenges, embraced reforms, and produced memorable cricketing moments that continue to define its identity. The rise of dominant franchises, the emergence of new stars, and the evolution of tactical approaches have all contributed to a competition that feels both familiar and constantly refreshing. With broad television and digital coverage, ongoing efforts to strengthen its organization, and a growing audience across South Asia, the league has positioned itself as an important stage for players aiming to make an impact at higher levels of the game.
What stands out most is the league’s influence on Bangladesh’s cricketing ecosystem. It has helped nurture cricketers who have gone on to represent Bangladesh internationally, while also offering fans a tournament that reflects the country’s cricketing culture and ambition. As the league continues to evolve, its legacy remains anchored in its ability to bring together competitive cricket, passionate crowds, and a platform that celebrates both established names and rising talent.
Did You Know
