Nepal Premier League 2026 Schedule, Teams, Squads, Fixtures and Dates
The Nepal Premier League 2026 (NPL Season 3) is scheduled from 26 October to 21 November 2026, bringing eight franchises together for Nepal’s domestic men’s T20 competition. Organised by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the tournament will be played at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu. The International Cricket Council sanctioned the third edition in October 2026.
The eight teams are Biratnagar Kings, Chitwan Rhinos, Janakpur Bolts, Karnali Yaks, Kathmandu Gurkhas, Lumbini Lions, Pokhara Avengers and Sudurpaschim Royals. The competition includes 28 league matches followed by four playoff matches, making 32 games in total.
Defending champions Lumbini Lions open the tournament against Sudurpaschim Royals on 26 October. The fixture is a repeat of the 2025 final, when Lumbini defeated Sudurpaschim by six wickets to secure their first NPL title.
CAN has also revised the match timings following the introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS). Afternoon matches on double-header days begin at 12:30 PM, while evening matches and fixtures on single-match days start at 5:00 PM Nepal Standard Time (NPT). The dates and venue remain unchanged.
Nepal Premier League 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Siddharth Bank Nepal Premier League |
| Edition | Season 3 |
| Year | 2026 |
| Format | Men’s T20 |
| Start Date | 26 October 2026 |
| End Date | 21 November 2026 |
| Host Country | Nepal |
| Number of Teams | 8 |
| League Matches | 28 |
| Playoff Matches | 4 |
| Total Matches | 32 |
| Main Venue | Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur |
| Organising Body | Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) |
| Defending Champions | Lumbini Lions |
| Previous Runners-Up | Sudurpaschim Royals |
Participating Teams
Eight franchises will compete in NPL 2026:
- Biratnagar Kings — captained by Sandeep Lamichhane, according to the tournament’s published team information.
- Chitwan Rhinos — led by Kushal Malla.
- Janakpur Bolts — Harmeet Singh was named captain in a pre-season team announcement.
- Karnali Yaks — led by Sompal Kami.
- Kathmandu Gurkhas — captained by Karan KC.
- Lumbini Lions — defending champions under Rohit Paudel.
- Pokhara Avengers — led by Kushal Bhurtel.
- Sudurpaschim Royals — captained by Dipendra Singh Airee.
The tournament brings together the same eight franchises that have featured in the league’s earlier editions. Lumbini Lions enter the season as champions, while Sudurpaschim Royals return after finishing runners-up in 2025.
Nepal Premier League 2026 Complete Schedule
The complete fixture list below incorporates the revised start times announced for NPL Season 3. All matches are scheduled at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu. All times are in Nepal Standard Time (NPT).
October 2026
| Match | Date | Time | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 Oct | 5:00 PM | Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals | Kirtipur |
| 2 | 27 Oct | 12:30 PM | Biratnagar Kings vs Chitwan Rhinos | Kirtipur |
| 3 | 27 Oct | 5:00 PM | Karnali Yaks vs Janakpur Bolts | Kirtipur |
| 4 | 28 Oct | 5:00 PM | Pokhara Avengers vs Sudurpaschim Royals | Kirtipur |
| 5 | 29 Oct | 12:30 PM | Janakpur Bolts vs Kathmandu Gurkhas | Kirtipur |
| 6 | 29 Oct | 5:00 PM | Karnali Yaks vs Biratnagar Kings | Kirtipur |
| — | 30 Oct | — | Rest day | — |
| 7 | 31 Oct | 12:30 PM | Lumbini Lions vs Chitwan Rhinos | Kirtipur |
| 8 | 31 Oct | 5:00 PM | Sudurpaschim Royals vs Biratnagar Kings | Kirtipur |
November 2026 — League Stage
| Match | Date | Time | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 Nov | 5:00 PM | Janakpur Bolts vs Pokhara Avengers | Kirtipur |
| 10 | 2 Nov | 12:30 PM | Kathmandu Gurkhas vs Karnali Yaks | Kirtipur |
| 11 | 2 Nov | 5:00 PM | Sudurpaschim Royals vs Chitwan Rhinos | Kirtipur |
| 12 | 3 Nov | 12:30 PM | Biratnagar Kings vs Janakpur Bolts | Kirtipur |
| 13 | 3 Nov | 5:00 PM | Lumbini Lions vs Pokhara Avengers | Kirtipur |
| — | 4 Nov | — | Rest day | — |
| 14 | 5 Nov | 12:30 PM | Lumbini Lions vs Janakpur Bolts | Kirtipur |
| 15 | 5 Nov | 5:00 PM | Kathmandu Gurkhas vs Biratnagar Kings | Kirtipur |
| 16 | 6 Nov | 12:30 PM | Sudurpaschim Royals vs Karnali Yaks | Kirtipur |
| 17 | 6 Nov | 5:00 PM | Chitwan Rhinos vs Pokhara Avengers | Kirtipur |
| 18 | 7 Nov | 5:00 PM | Kathmandu Gurkhas vs Lumbini Lions | Kirtipur |
| — | 8 Nov | — | Rest day | — |
| 19 | 9 Nov | 12:30 PM | Pokhara Avengers vs Karnali Yaks | Kirtipur |
| 20 | 9 Nov | 5:00 PM | Chitwan Rhinos vs Kathmandu Gurkhas | Kirtipur |
| 21 | 10 Nov | 5:00 PM | Sudurpaschim Royals vs Janakpur Bolts | Kirtipur |
| — | 11 Nov | — | Rest day | — |
| 22 | 12 Nov | 12:30 PM | Biratnagar Kings vs Pokhara Avengers | Kirtipur |
| 23 | 12 Nov | 5:00 PM | Karnali Yaks vs Lumbini Lions | Kirtipur |
| 24 | 13 Nov | 12:30 PM | Kathmandu Gurkhas vs Sudurpaschim Royals | Kirtipur |
| 25 | 13 Nov | 5:00 PM | Janakpur Bolts vs Chitwan Rhinos | Kirtipur |
| 26 | 14 Nov | 5:00 PM | Biratnagar Kings vs Lumbini Lions | Kirtipur |
| 27 | 15 Nov | 12:30 PM | Chitwan Rhinos vs Karnali Yaks | Kirtipur |
| 28 | 15 Nov | 5:00 PM | Pokhara Avengers vs Kathmandu Gurkhas | Kirtipur |
Nepal Premier League 2026 Playoff Schedule
| Match | Date | Time | Fixture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | 17 Nov 2026 | 5:00 PM | 1st place vs 2nd place |
| Eliminator | 18 Nov 2026 | 5:00 PM | 3rd place vs 4th place |
| Qualifier 2 | 19 Nov 2026 | 5:00 PM | Qualifier 1 loser vs Eliminator winner |
| Final | 21 Nov 2026 | 5:00 PM | Qualifier 1 winner vs Qualifier 2 winner |
20 November is scheduled as a rest day before the final. The teams involved in the playoffs will be determined by the final league standings.
Venue
All 32 matches of the Nepal Premier League 2026 are scheduled at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, also known as the TU International Cricket Ground, in Kirtipur, Kathmandu.
The venue is the main ground for Nepal’s domestic and international cricket. Hosting the entire tournament at one ground keeps the fixture schedule centralised and means the teams will play under the same broad venue conditions throughout the competition.
Team Captains
| Team | Captain |
|---|---|
| Biratnagar Kings | Sandeep Lamichhane |
| Chitwan Rhinos | Kushal Malla |
| Janakpur Bolts | Harmeet Singh* |
| Karnali Yaks | Sompal Kami |
| Kathmandu Gurkhas | Karan KC |
| Lumbini Lions | Rohit Paudel |
| Pokhara Avengers | Kushal Bhurtel |
| Sudurpaschim Royals | Dipendra Singh Airee |
Tournament Format
The Nepal Premier League 2026 uses a single round-robin league stage followed by four playoff matches.
- League stage: Each of the eight teams plays seven matches, giving 28 league fixtures.
- Qualifier 1: The top two teams meet, with the winner advancing directly to the final.
- Eliminator: The third- and fourth-placed teams play for a place in Qualifier 2.
- Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 faces the Eliminator winner.
- Final: The winners of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 contest the championship on 21 November.
This format gives the top two teams an additional route to the final, while third and fourth place must win consecutive playoff matches to claim the title.
Important Rules and DRS Update
A major confirmed change for NPL Season 3 is the introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS). According to the tournament’s published update, the change prompted CAN to move evening fixtures from 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM NPT.
On double-header days, the first match remains scheduled for 12:30 PM, while the second begins at 5:00 PM. On single-match days, play begins at 5:00 PM. The schedule’s dates and venue remain unchanged.
Other detailed playing conditions, including points allocation and tie-breaking provisions, should be checked in CAN’s official competition regulations rather than assumed.
Previous Edition
The 2025 Nepal Premier League final was played on 13 December 2025 at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Sudurpaschim Royals batted first and were bowled out for 85 in 19.1 overs. Lumbini Lions chased the target, reaching 86/4 in just nine overs to win by six wickets.
Ruben Trumpelmann was named Player of the Match after taking three wickets for three runs. Lumbini’s title run followed wins in the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, making the championship a notable turnaround after finishing fourth in the league stage.
Defending Champions
Lumbini Lions are the defending champions after winning the 2025 edition. Their six-wicket final victory over Sudurpaschim Royals delivered the franchise’s first NPL title.
The Lions return for Season 3 with Rohit Paudel listed as captain in the tournament’s team information. They begin their title defence against Sudurpaschim Royals on 26 October, in a repeat of the previous final.
Previous Season Runner-Up
Sudurpaschim Royals finished runners-up in the 2025 final after being dismissed for 85. They had also been runners-up in the inaugural 2024 season, when Janakpur Bolts won the championship.
Sudurpaschim begin the 2026 season against Lumbini Lions on 26 October and play Biratnagar Kings on 31 October. Their early schedule also includes fixtures against Pokhara Avengers, Chitwan Rhinos, Karnali Yaks and Janakpur Bolts.
Players to Watch
The following players are notable based on published captaincy information, confirmed pre-season signings or their impact in the previous edition. Their selection for individual matches remains subject to official team announcements.
- Rohit Paudel — Lumbini Lions: Captain of the defending champions and a key part of the team’s 2025 title campaign.
- Ruben Trumpelmann — Lumbini Lions: Player of the Match in the 2025 final after taking three wickets for three runs.
- Sandeep Lamichhane — Biratnagar Kings: Listed as captain of Biratnagar and an established Nepal leg-spinner.
- Dipendra Singh Airee — Sudurpaschim Royals: Captain of the previous runners-up and a key Nepal all-rounder.
- Karan KC — Kathmandu Gurkhas: Listed as captain of Kathmandu for the new campaign.
- Kushal Bhurtel — Pokhara Avengers: Listed as captain of Pokhara Avengers.
Key Matches
Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals — 26 October: The opening match is a rematch of the 2025 final, bringing the defending champions and runners-up together immediately.
Biratnagar Kings vs Chitwan Rhinos — 27 October: The first double-header day begins with this fixture before Karnali Yaks face Janakpur Bolts in the evening.
Janakpur Bolts vs Kathmandu Gurkhas — 29 October: Both teams will look to build early momentum in the league stage.
Lumbini Lions vs Janakpur Bolts — 5 November: A league fixture between the defending champions and the 2024 title winners.
Qualifier 1 — 17 November: The top two teams face off, with the winner securing a direct place in the final.
NPL 2026 Final — 21 November: The tournament champion will be decided at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Records and History
The Nepal Premier League began in 2024. Janakpur Bolts won the inaugural edition, defeating Sudurpaschim Royals in the final. Lumbini Lions then claimed the 2025 title by beating Sudurpaschim by six wickets.
The two completed editions have therefore produced two different champions, while Sudurpaschim have reached the final in both seasons without lifting the trophy. Lumbini’s 2025 run also demonstrated the value of the playoff structure: the Lions finished fourth in the league before winning the Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and final.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Tournament begins | 26 October 2026 |
| Opening match | Lumbini Lions vs Sudurpaschim Royals |
| League stage concludes | 15 November 2026 |
| Qualifier 1 | 17 November 2026 |
| Eliminator | 18 November 2026 |
| Qualifier 2 | 19 November 2026 |
| Rest day before final | 20 November 2026 |
| Final | 21 November 2026 |
What to Expect
The Nepal Premier League 2026 combines a 28-match round-robin league with a four-match playoff stage. The eight teams will play at Kirtipur, and the revised 5:00 PM evening start times reflect the introduction of DRS for this edition.
Lumbini Lions begin as defending champions, while Sudurpaschim Royals will try again after finishing runners-up in both previous finals. Janakpur Bolts, the inaugural champions, also return to the competition. With the top four teams advancing to the playoffs, consistency during the league stage will be important, but the format gives teams outside the top two a route to the final.
FAQs
When does the Nepal Premier League 2026 start?
The tournament starts on 26 October 2026, with Lumbini Lions facing Sudurpaschim Royals at 5:00 PM NPT.
When is the Nepal Premier League 2026 final?
The final is scheduled for 21 November 2026 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
How many teams are participating in NPL 2026?
Eight teams are participating: Biratnagar Kings, Chitwan Rhinos, Janakpur Bolts, Karnali Yaks, Kathmandu Gurkhas, Lumbini Lions, Pokhara Avengers and Sudurpaschim Royals.
How many matches are scheduled in NPL Season 3?
The tournament has 32 scheduled matches: 28 league games and four playoff matches.
Who are the defending champions of the Nepal Premier League?
Lumbini Lions are the defending champions after defeating Sudurpaschim Royals by six wickets in the 2025 final.
Why were the NPL 2026 match timings changed?
CAN moved evening starts from 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM NPT after introducing DRS. Afternoon games on double-header days remain at 12:30 PM.
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