NPL 2026 Season 3: Dates, Format, Teams and Champions
Eight teams, 32 matches, one ground in Kirtipur and less than four weeks to crown a champion. Here is the whole season in one read.
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If you only have five minutes to catch up on NPL 2026, start here.
The third Nepal Premier League runs from 26 October to 21 November 2026, and every single game is at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. One ground, eight teams, 32 matches. It is a tight little tournament, and that is a big part of its charm. The Himalayan Times had the dates first.
How the season works
Each team plays the other seven once. That gives us 28 league games, and the top four go through to the playoffs.
The playoffs follow the IPL style. Qualifier 1 is on 17 November, the Eliminator on 18 November and Qualifier 2 on 19 November. The final is on Saturday 21 November. Finishing in the top two matters a lot, because it gives you two chances to reach the final instead of one.
What time do matches start?
On days with one game, the first ball is at 5pm Nepal time. On double-header days the early game starts at 12:30pm and the second at 5pm. Some early graphics still say 4:30pm, so ignore those. We explain the change in our match-time story.
The eight teams
Biratnagar Kings, Chitwan Rhinos, Janakpur Bolts, Karnali Yaks, Kathmandu Gurkhas, Lumbini Lions, Pokhara Avengers and Sudurpaschim Royals. You can browse every squad on our squads page.
Who are the champions?
Lumbini Lions are the holders after beating Sudurpaschim Royals in the 2025 final. Janakpur Bolts won the first edition in 2024. Poor Sudurpaschim have lost both finals, so expect them to be hungry. Fittingly, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim meet in the opening game on 26 October.
What is new this year
A few things make this season feel bigger. DRS is being used in every match, the ICC has recognised the games for official T20 records, and teams can register more overseas players than before. We have written about DRS, the T20 status and the overseas rules if you want the detail.
Keep the fixtures and results and the points table open once things get going. It moves fast.
