Nellai Royal Kings

In July 2015, the R. M. Lodha committee appointed by the Supreme Court, suspended the Chennai-based Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings for a period of two years due to the association of their owners with illegal betting. As a result of the ban, there was no major competitive T20 cricket played in the state. In April 2016, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) introduced plans for a Twenty20 cricket league to be played in May 2016. The inaugural edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) was aimed at filling the void left by the absence of major T20 matches in the state, and at providing a platform for local players.

The TNPL was proposed as an eight-team event contested by city-based franchise teams. On 1 May 2016, the TNCA invited bidders for the franchise rights, with the base price set at ₹12.5 million (US$190,000). Seventeen bidders participated in the process, and the eight franchises were later unveiled by the TNCA. The franchise rights for the eight teams were sold for ₹335.1 million (US$4.99 million), with the highest bid at ₹52.1 million (US$780,000).

In June 2016, the TNCA announced that the first season would consist of 27 matches to be played in August and September across Chennai, Tirunelveli, and Dindigul, with the player draft to be held in July. The player draft was held in Chennai on 30 July. On 16 August, the first edition of the league was inaugurated by MS Dhoni, and was played from 24 August to 18 September. The inaugural edition featured both international and domestic cricketers registered with the TNCA.