The third season of the Nepal Premier League is set to return on October 26, 2026, with the competition scheduled to continue until November 21. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has confirmed the dates as preparations begin for another season of franchise T20 cricket.

The upcoming campaign will feature eight teams and 32 matches, with all games taking place at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Eight Franchises Ready for the New Season

The 2026 competition will bring together eight established NPL franchises, each led by a prominent Nepalese cricketer and supported by experienced coaching staff.

Kathmandu Gurkhas will be led by Karan KC, with Monty Desai as head coach. Rohit Paudel will captain Lumbini Lions, while Nandan Phadnis takes charge of the coaching role.

The other six teams are:

Kathmandu Gurkhas — Karan KC, Captain | Monty Desai, Coach

Lumbini Lions — Rohit Paudel, Captain | Nandan Phadnis, Coach

Biratnagar Kings — Sandeep Lamichhane, Captain | Kevin O'Brien, Coach

Chitwan Rhinos — Kushal Malla, Captain | Kalam Ali, Coach

Janakpur Bolts — Anil Sah, Captain | Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Coach

Pokhara Avengers — Kushal Bhurtel, Captain | Rajiv Kumar, Coach

Karnali Yaks — Sompal Kami, Captain | Gyanendra Malla, Coach

Sudurpaschim Royals — Dipendra Singh Airee, Captain | Jagat Tamata, Coach

All Matches to Take Place in Kirtipur

Unlike multi-venue competitions, the entire NPL 2026 campaign will be played at one ground.

The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur will host all 32 matches. The stadium has a reported capacity of approximately 13,000 and has become one of the most important cricket venues in Nepal.

Keeping the competition at a single venue will give teams familiar playing conditions throughout the season while also allowing supporters to follow matches at the same location.

How the NPL 2026 Competition Will Work

The league will begin with a single round-robin stage, followed by the playoff matches that will determine the finalists and eventual champion.

The total prize pool for the competition is NPR 2.01 crore. During the player auction, franchises were provided with an overall auction purse of more than NPR 8.5 crore.

With eight teams competing over 32 matches, the league stage will provide plenty of opportunities for each franchise to build momentum before the playoffs.

Previous NPL Champions

The first NPL championship was won by Janakpur Bolts in 2024. Lumbini Lions then became champions in 2025.

Sudurpaschim Royals have also been involved in previous title contests but have yet to secure the championship. The 2026 season gives them another opportunity to challenge for the trophy.

NPL 2026 Broadcast and Live Streaming

Fans across the region will have several options for following the tournament.

Star Sports is set to provide television coverage across India and South Asia, while Kantipur Max TV will show the matches in Nepal.

Online viewers in Nepal will be able to follow the action through DishHome GO, while FanCode will provide streaming coverage for audiences in India.

When Does NPL 2026 Start?

The opening match of the third Nepal Premier League season is scheduled for October 26, 2026, with the tournament running until November 21.

CAN is expected to provide further details about the individual fixtures, match timings, and ticket arrangements as the season approaches.

For the latest NPL 2026 fixtures, match dates, results, points table, teams, and playoff information, follow the latest updates as the tournament schedule is released.