CCL 2026 has 8 teams playing their group level matches over two weekends, with the semi-finals and final on the third weekend. This time, they play not just for the trophy but Rs 50L prize money too.

The 12th season of the Celebrity Cricket League is only weeks away and the organizers have now revealed the full schedule of the action-packed tournament. Unlike earlier seasons, this time it is a shorter, tighter 3-week event and what’s more, the teams are not just playing for the trophy, but there’s big money too. The winners walk away with Rs 50L, while the runner-up team gets Rs 25L. Unlike Season 11, which had only 7 teams in action, after the Kerala Strikers pulled out, Season 12 is back with all 8, with the only other change that the Chennai team has a new name, Chennai Kings (earlier Chennai Rhinos).
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Although CCL chairperson Vishnu Induri had said the season would start on January 9, as per the final schedule that’s come out, it begins only a week later, on January 16, 2026, Friday. There will be 12 league matches held over two weekends, in Madurai and Mysuru, with the top 4 teams then heading to Hyderabad for the semi-finals and the final. The tournament will wind up on February 1, 2026. This time around, each team plays 3 group matches only, as against 4 earlier.
| DATE | VENUE | TEAM 1 | TEAM 2 | TIME |
| January 16, 2026 | Madurai | Mumbai Heroes | Bengal Tigers | 2 pm |
| January 16, 2026 | Madurai | Chennai Kings | Kerala Strikers | 6.30 pm |
| January 17, 2026 | Madurai | Punjab De Sher | Telugu Warriors | 2 pm |
| January 17, 2026 | Madurai | Chennai Kings | Bengal Tigers | 6.30 pm |
| January 18, 2026 | Madurai | Punjab De Sher | Bhojpuri Dabbangs | 2 pm |
| January 18, 2026 | Madurai | Karnataka Bulldozers | Telugu Warriors | 6.30 pm |
| January 23, 2026 | Mysuru | Mumbai Heroes | Kerala Strikers | 2 pm |
| January 23, 2026 | Mysuru | Karnataka Bulldozers | Bhojpuri Dabbangs | 6.30 pm |
| January 23, 2026 | Mysuru | Bengal Tigers | Kerala Strikers | 2 pm |
| January 23, 2026 | Mysuru | Chennai Kings | Mumbai Heroes | 6.30 pm |
| January 23, 2026 | Mysuru | Telugu Warriors | Bhojpuri Dabbangs | 2 pm |
| January 23, 2026 | Mysuru | Punjab De Sher | Karnataka Bulldozers | 6.30 pm |
| January 31 | Hyderabad | Semi-finalist No1 | Semi-finalist No4 | 2 pm |
| January 31 | Hyderabad | Semi-Finalist No 2 | Semi-Finalist No 3 | 6.30 pm |
| February 1 | Hyderabad | FINAL | 6.30 pm onward |
The 8 teams playing the tournament are the Chennai Kings, Kerala Strikers, Karnataka Bulldozers, Telugu Warriors, Bhojpuri Dabbangs, Punjab De Sher, Mumbai Heroes and the Bengal Tigers. Punjab De Sher is the reigning champion, with everyone, except the Bhojpuri Dabbangs and Kerala Strikers having won the tournament. The Telugu Warriors have taken the trophy home 4 times, followed by Chennai Kings and Karnataka Bulldozers with 2 wins each.
CCL is played as T20 matches held in Test format, with each team playing 2 innings of 10 overs each. Fans have been hoping for a change this time, preferring a full-fledged 20 over innings.
Q. When is Season 12 of CCL starting?
A. Season 12 of the Celebrity Cricket League begins on January 16, 2026. Eight teams are in the fray, with the winner getting a prize of Rs 50L.
Q. Which team is the defending champions of CCL?
A. Punjab De Sher is the reigning champions of CCL.
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