The Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) isn’t your average cricket tournament. It’s where some of India’s biggest film stars swap movie sets for the pitch and face off in front of roaring crowds. Ever since it kicked off in 2011, it’s been about more than just cricket; it’s a wild mashup of sport and showbiz, with eight teams representing film industries like Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, and Sandalwood. The stadiums are always packed, and the energy is unreal.
Now, the CCL is gearing up for its 12th season in January 2026. Once again, actors from eight different regions will step onto the field, ready to thrill their fans in a way you don’t see every day. If you love movies, cricket, or just a good time, this is the place to be.
When Does CCL 2026 Start?
CCL 2026 starts on January 16 and wraps up on February 1. So, that’s about two and a half weeks of action. Every match day, you get two games. The first one kicks off at 2 PM and goes until 6 PM. After that, the evening match starts at 6:30 and runs till 10:30.
Where’s All The CCL 2026 Action Happening?
Three cities get to host this time. First up, Vizag (Visakhapatnam) kicks things off from January 16 to 18. Then, everything shifts to Madurai from January 23 to 25. Hyderabad wraps it up, hosting the semi-finals and final on January 31 and February 1.
The Eight Teams
Eight teams represent different film industries of India, with Punjab De Sher being the defending champions of the CCL 2025 title. They will enter the new season with great confidence.
| Team | Film Industry | Captain Name |
|---|---|---|
| Bengal Tigers | Bengali | Jisshu Sengupta |
| Bhojpuri Dabanggs | Bhojpuri | Manoj Tiwari |
| Vels Chennai Kings | Tamil | Arya |
| Karnataka Bulldozers | Kannada | Sudeep Kichcha |
| Kerala Strikers | Malayalam | Unni Mukundan |
| Mumbai Heroes | Hindi | Riteish Deshmukh |
| Punjab De Sher | Punjabi | Sonu Sood |
| Telugu Warriors | Telugu | Akhil Akkineni |
Complete Match Schedule
| Date | Day | Venue | Time | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 16, 2026 | Friday | Vizag | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Punjab De Sher vs Karnataka Bulldozers |
| January 16, 2026 | Friday | Vizag | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Telugu Warriors vs Bhojpuri Dabanggs |
| January 17, 2026 | Saturday | Vizag | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Mumbai Heroes vs Bengal Tigers |
| January 17, 2026 | Saturday | Vizag | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Punjab De Sher vs Telugu Warriors |
| January 18, 2026 | Sunday | Vizag | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Vels Chennai Kings vs Bengal Tigers |
| January 18, 2026 | Sunday | Vizag | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Mumbai Heroes vs Kerala Strikers |
| January 23, 2026 | Friday | Madurai | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Bengal Tigers vs Kerala Strikers |
| January 23, 2026 | Friday | Madurai | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Karnataka Bulldozers vs Telugu Warriors |
| January 24, 2026 | Saturday | Madurai | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Punjab De Sher vs Bhojpuri Dabanggs |
| January 24, 2026 | Saturday | Madurai | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Vels Chennai Kings vs Kerala Strikers |
| January 25, 2026 | Sunday | Madurai | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Karnataka Bulldozers vs Bhojpuri Dabanggs |
| January 25, 2026 | Sunday | Madurai | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Vels Chennai Kings vs Mumbai Heroes |
| January 31, 2026 | Saturday | Hyderabad | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Semi-Final 1 (1st vs 4th) |
| January 31, 2026 | Saturday | Hyderabad | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Semi-Final 2 (2nd vs 3rd) |
| February 1, 2026 | Sunday | Hyderabad | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | FINAL |
About the Celebrity Cricket League
The Celebrity Cricket League kicked off in 2011, all thanks to Vishnu Vardhan Induri. He just wanted to bring together two things India loves most: cricket and movies. Salman Khan jumped in as the brand ambassador right from the start, and he’s stuck with it ever since. The matches follow the T20 format, so each game lasts about 4 hours. That way, fans get nonstop, high-energy cricket without having to spend their whole day watching.
Why Fans Love CCL
CCL brings something different to the table. Fans get a kick out of watching their favorite actors swap the movie set for the cricket field. Suddenly, they’re out there batting, bowling, and fielding, not just acting like cricketers, but actually playing the game.
The vibe at CCL matches is electric. Feels more like a festival than a regular game. People go wild for their regional teams. The whole stadium buzzes with music, excitement, and the kind of star power you don’t see anywhere else.
CCL 2026 Live Streaming
Here are the main ways to watch CCL 2026 live:
| Platform | Type | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| JioHotstar | Online Streaming | India |
| Sony Sports TEN 3 | TV Channel | India |
| CCL Official YouTube | Free Streaming | Worldwide |
JioHotstar has the official rights this year, so just fire up their app or website on any device, and you’re set.
CCL 2026 Broadcasting Overview
If you like watching CCL on a big screen, then Sony Sports TEN 3 SD and HD have you sorted: they’re showing every match all over India, and you can catch the commentary in your own language. The league’s even set up regional channels, so you won’t miss a thing, no matter what language you speak.
How to Watch CCL 2026 Outside India
If you’re watching from outside India, don’t worry. The official CCL YouTube channel streams matches worldwide, and the league’s website offers live scores and highlights.
Sometimes you’ll find the games on international streaming platforms or local sports channels, so it’s a good idea to see what’s showing in your area.
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Conclusion: Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) 2026 Begins on January 16!
CCL 2026 looks like it’s going to be a blast, with cricket, celebrities, and loads of drama. You’ve got eight teams, all repping different film industries, fighting for the trophy. Punjab De Sher wants to hang on to their title. Every team comes with its own energy and a crowd of die-hard fans.
For many people, this is the only time they get to see their favorite actors on the field, not just on screen. That’s what makes CCL special. It’s this wild mix of sport and showbiz you don’t really get anywhere else.
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