The 12th edition of the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) 2026 is officially back, promising a high-octane blend of cinema and sport as the biggest stars from eight regional film industries take to the pitch.
Kicking off today, January 16, 2026, the tournament returns with a more compact and intense format, featuring 19 matches packed into just over two weeks. This season is particularly historic as the Chennai Rhinos have officially rebranded to the Vels Chennai Kings, while the Punjab De Sher enter the fray as the defending champions following their stunning title win last year. With the grand finale set for February 1 in Hyderabad, fans are braced for a carnival-like atmosphere where the glamour of the silver screen meets the competitive grit of T20 cricket.
Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) 2026: Official match schedule, venues and timings
The Season 12 journey begins at the ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Vizag, which hosts the opening leg of the tournament. The schedule is designed with high-energy double-headers, with afternoon games starting at 2:00 PM IST and evening clashes at 6:30 PM IST.
Following the Vizag leg, the action shifts to the SNR College Cricket Stadium in Coimbatore for the mid-season battles before moving to the iconic Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad for the high-stakes knockout rounds. This year’s structure is the shortest yet, with teams playing three group-stage matches each to determine the top four qualifiers for the semi-finals. The opening day features a massive double-header, starting with the defending champions Punjab De Sher taking on the Karnataka Bulldozers, followed by a clash between the Telugu Warriors and Bhojpuri Dabanggs.
Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16 | Punjab De Sher vs Karnataka Bulldozers | Vizag | 2:00 PM |
| Jan 16 | Telugu Warriors vs Bhojpuri Dabanggs | Vizag | 6:30 PM |
| Jan 17 | Mumbai Heroes vs Bengal Tigers | Vizag | 2:00 PM |
| Jan 17 | Punjab De Sher vs Telugu Warriors | Vizag | 6:30 PM |
| Jan 18 | Vels Chennai Kings vs Bengal Tigers | Vizag | 2:00 PM |
| Jan 18 | Mumbai Heroes vs Kerala Strikers | Vizag | 6:30 PM |
| Jan 23 | Bengal Tigers vs Kerala Strikers | Coimbatore | 2:00 PM |
| Jan 23 | Karnataka Bulldozers vs Telugu Warriors | Coimbatore | 6:30 PM |
| Jan 24 | Punjab De Sher vs Bhojpuri Dabanggs | Coimbatore | 2:00 PM |
| Jan 24 | Vels Chennai Kings vs Kerala Strikers | Coimbatore | 6:30 PM |
| Jan 25 | Karnataka Bulldozers vs Bhojpuri Dabanggs | Coimbatore | 2:00 PM |
| Jan 25 | Vels Chennai Kings vs Mumbai Heroes | Coimbatore | 6:30 PM |
| Jan 31 | Semi-Final 1 (1st vs 4th) | Hyderabad | 2:00 PM |
| Jan 31 | Semi-Final 2 (2nd vs 3rd) | Hyderabad | 6:30 PM |
| Feb 1 | Grand Final | Hyderabad | 6:30 PM |
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Broadcast and Live Streaming: Where to Watch Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) 2026
For fans looking to catch every boundary and wicket, the 2026 edition has secured wide-reaching broadcast and digital partnerships. The tournament is expected to be aired live on the Sony Sports Network, specifically Sony Sports Ten 3, which serves as the official television partner so far.
On the digital front, the league has moved to JioHotstar (the newly merged platform) for live streaming, ensuring that fans across the globe can watch their favorite stars like Kiccha Sudeep, Riteish Deshmukh and Akhil Akkineni in high-definition. Additionally, regions like Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Australia can access the matches via OTTplay Premium. With Salman Khan continuing as the face of the league, Season 12 is expected to break previous viewership records, reaching an estimated audience of over 250 million.
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