No cricket league throws its weight around like the Nepal Premier League. The NPL is already two seasons into its journey, delivers tightly packed action at a single venue, Kirtipur, and captures the hearts - and views - of legions of fans, who are eager to see the local heroes battle it out in the country's beloved summer game. Season three is set to begin in the same November-December window in which the first two editions were played, with an exact date to be announced by the governing body, the Cricket Association of Nepal.
Lumbini Lions are the defending champions, while the Sudurpaschim Royals will be looking to finally end their runners-up curse in their second consecutive campaign.
Nepal Premier League 2026: The Essentials
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Expected window | November – December 2026 (TBC; 2025: 17 Nov – 13 Dec) |
| Season | 3rd |
| Teams | 8 |
| Venue | TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur (Kathmandu) |
| Format | T20, round-robin + playoffs |
| Defending champions | Lumbini Lions |
| Past winners | Janakpur Bolts (2024), Lumbini Lions (2025) |
NPL 2026: What We Know So Far
The Cricket Association of Nepal is set to make their next official announcement in the coming weeks, as to the start date of the NPL 2026. The 8-team domestic T20 tournament will be staged across 32 matches in Kirtipur, spread across a four-week window. Following the model of NPL 2024 and 2025, the 3rd edition is set to begin in late-November 2026, feature a round-robin league stage before knockout playoffs to crown the champion. With its time zone just 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time, Nepal's matches land perfectly for Indian viewers as well. The exact dates will be published on this page as the official announcement is made by the Cricket Association of Nepal.
What Happened in NPL 2025
Lumbini Lions beat Sudurpaschim Royals by 6 wickets in the final of NPL 2025 on 13th December, to register their maiden title, while the champions also saw their star fast bowler, Namibian Ruben Trumpelmann, claim the Player of the Series honours. Elsewhere, Adam Rossington of Pokhara Avengers led the batting charts with 323 runs, whereas Sandeep Lamichhane (Biratnagar Kings), Sher Malla (Lumbini Lions) and Abinash Bohara (Sudurpaschim Royals) were tied at the top with 17 wickets apiece.
Sudurpaschim Royals had tasted heartbreak at the hands of Janakpur Bolts in the very first final of the NPL in 2024, and have suffered a similar fate at the 2025 finale. The Dhangadhi-based team is the first to reach the NPL final twice. It seems that Nepal's premier domestic cricket competition has its first great sub-plot, as the Sudurpaschim Royals look to end their wait for a maiden championship, and lift the coveted trophy back home.
NPL Teams 2026
The 8 franchises of the NPL represent the major provinces and cities in Nepal. The team squads boast local stars and international headliners, who make up a vibrant mix of talent and experience. Here's a look at the key franchises:
| Team | The Short Version |
|---|---|
| Lumbini Lions | NPL 2025 champions; Trumpelmann's title-winning bowling attack |
| Janakpur Bolts | NPL 2024 champions |
| Sudurpaschim Royals | Two-time finalists, still chasing a first title |
| Biratnagar Kings | Lamichhane's side; among the league's biggest draws |
| Kathmandu Gurkhas | The capital team |
| Pokhara Avengers | Rossington's 323 for the 2025 "entertainers" |
| Chitwan Rhinos | The "middle order" team so far |
| Karnali Yaks | The underdogs from western Nepal |
The squad announcements for NPL 2026 will follow the league's retention and draft process ahead of the tournament. The NPL has already seen a number of overseas stars sign up for the competition (Rossington and Trumpelmann were both standout performers in 2025). With the profile of the league growing with each passing season, the list of players is only set to get bigger. The player pool for the 3rd edition will be published here as it is officially released.
NPL 2026 Fixtures
The detailed schedule for NPL 2026 will follow the formal launch by the Cricket Association of Nepal. As always, the NPL will see 32 tightly packed matches across the season, in a four-week window across November-December 2026. All fixtures will be held at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, as the NPL continues to deliver an intense, close-knit experience for fans attending the matches. For those unable to visit Kirtipur, the NPL is available across major broadcasters in Nepal and has already begun to see international distribution across the digital space. The league has an incredibly strong following among overseas Nepalese, which has created a unique environment for the competition to thrive - the likes of the YouTube and social media channels run by the NPL are genuine spectacles in their own right. The full list of NPL 2026 match highlights and schedules will appear on this site the day of the official announcement.
NPL 2026 Points Table
The NPL points table is live from the opening fixtures of the 3rd edition. With eight teams battling it out in a round-robin format, the top 4 qualify for the playoff stage. The final deciding factor in the event of a tie is the net run rate. The latest NPL points table will be found here throughout the season, after each set of fixtures has been completed.
How to Watch NPL 2026
Within Nepal, the NPL is available across the domestic broadcast ecosystem. In recent years, the league has seen international rights sold, as well, with viewers across the globe able to watch the NPL via the online outlets (the NPL's YouTube and digital channels have seen record-breaking views). As the NPL builds towards its 2026 season, more international broadcasters are set to join the NPL ecosystem. The latest information on NPL broadcasters will appear on this page as the official announcement is made by the Cricket Association of Nepal. Live score updates will be available on ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz.
NPL Winners List
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Janakpur Bolts | Sudurpaschim Royals |
| 2025 | Lumbini Lions | Sudurpaschim Royals |
Both editions of the NPL have so far produced a different winner, and the same runner-up. With the 3rd edition now upon us, many are expecting the Sudurpaschim Royals to finally break their duck in the competition. Conversely, the Lumbini Lions are set to defend their title. The NPL's narrative is one of fierce competition, as these storylines collide in the 2026 season.
Nepal Premier League 2026: FAQs
When does the NPL 2026 start? The 3rd edition is expected to begin in the same November-December window in which the first two editions were played. An official launch by the Cricket Association of Nepal is yet to be made public.
Who won the NPL 2025? Lumbini Lions, who beat Sudurpaschim Royals by 6 wickets in the final at Kirtipur, to register their maiden title.
How many teams are there in the NPL? There are 8 teams, who represent the provinces and major cities across Nepal.
Where are NPL matches played? NPL matches are only played in Kirtipur, at the TU International Cricket Ground.
Do overseas players feature in the NPL? Yes, overseas players are a part of every team. Adam Rossington and Ruben Trumpelmann were standout performers in NPL 2025.
Which team has won the most NPL titles? None, thus far; Janakpur Bolts and Lumbini Lions were the winners of NPL 2024 and 2025 respectively. Sudurpaschim Royals have lost the 2 finals they've made so far.