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Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor. PD-L1 binds to its receptor programmed death receptor (PD-1) expressed by immune cells and plays a key role in regulating immune responses. Engagement of PD-L1 on cancer cells and PD-1 on immune cells avoid destruction of tumour cells by immune cells. Immunostaining with PD-L1 has been suggested as a biomarker predictive of antiPD-L1 immunotherapy. Lymphocyte-rich hepatocellular carcinoma (LrHCC) is a rare histological HCC subtype which is characterised by neoplastic epithelial cells intermixed with numerous immune cells. Here in we investigated immunohistochemical PD-L1 expression in 4 cases of LrHCC. Tumour proportion score (TPS) and immune cell score was recorded. Immunophenotypic characterization of the tumour and inflammatory cells was also done. Epstein-Barr encoding region (EBER) in situ hybridization (ISH) assay as performed in all four tumours. Expression of PD-L1 was demonstrated in tumour epithelial cells and immune cells in all four cases. Incomplete to membranous staining was demonstrated in the tumour cells. Tumour proportion score (TPS) was 1.2–20 %. Immune cells demonstrated membranous and cytoplasmic immunostaining. Immune cell score was ≥1 % to >10 %. PD-L1 expression in both tumour and immune cells suggests distinct immunogenic feature and potential role of antiPD-L1 therapies in cases with inoperable disease. • Lymphocyte-rich hepatocellular carcinoma (LrHCC) is an extremely rare variant of HCC. • These tumours show diffuse infiltration by T lymphocytes and are negative for EBER-ISH • Both tumour and immune cells express PD-L1 in LrHCC, suggesting potential role of antiPD-L1 therapies in advanced disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]