Nepal Premier League 2026: How to Watch NPL Season 3 in Kathmandu and Plan Your Trip Around It

The third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) runs from 26 October to 21 November 2026, and every match is played at the Tribhuvan University (TU) International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, on the south-western edge of Kathmandu. League tickets cost Rs 500 for general seats and Rs 1,000 for premium. Because the tournament falls in Nepal's autumn trekking season, you can watch a few matches and still fit in a Himalayan trek, as long as you plan the trek around the playoff dates.

This guide covers the key dates, tickets, getting to the ground, watching from abroad, and three ways to combine the cricket with a trip to Nepal.

What is the Nepal Premier League?

The NPL is Nepal's franchise T20 competition, run by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Eight teams play a single round robin, and the top four go through to the playoffs. Janakpur Bolts won the first season in 2024 and Lumbini Lions won in 2025, with Sudurpaschim Royals runners-up both times.

Season 3 is a step up. The ICC sanctioned the tournament on 16 October 2026, so matches now carry official T20 status, and the Decision Review System (DRS) is being used for the first time. The champions will receive Rs 15 million.

Which teams are playing, and where do their names come from?

Each team represents a city or province, so the team list doubles as a rough map of Nepal. If a team catches your interest, its home region is worth a visit.

Which overseas stars are in NPL 2026?

Confirmed signings include David Warner (Kathmandu Gorkhas), Andre Russell (Biratnagar Kings), Shakib Al Hasan (Pokhara Avengers), and Moeen Ali and Jimmy Neesham (Janakpur Bolts). Each franchise has six overseas players, though no more than four can play in a single match.

When are the key NPL 2026 dates?

The league stage runs from 26 October to 15 November, followed by four playoff matches from 17 to 21 November.

Start times (Nepal Time, UTC+5:45): on days with two matches, the first starts at 12:30 pm and the second at 5 pm. Single matches start at 5 pm. CAN moved evening games from 4:30 pm to 5 pm to allow for DRS reviews. Check the official schedule for individual fixtures and the final's start time.

If you only want live scores or the points table, follow CAN's official channels or a dedicated cricket site. This page is about getting there and making a trip of it.

How much are NPL 2026 tickets, and how do you buy them?

Prices as announced by CAN on 23 October 2026.

In 2024 and 2025, tickets were sold online through the Khalti digital wallet app, and every ticket for the 2025 opening match sold out in advance. Nepali payment apps are built for local users, so international visitors can find buying tickets themselves awkward. Asking your hotel or a local contact to help is often the simplest route. Check CAN's announcements for this season's official ticket channel, and avoid unofficial resellers.

Weekend matches, Kathmandu Gorkhas games and the playoffs are the most likely to sell out, so buy as soon as your dates are fixed. If you are travelling with us, tell us which match days you want when we plan your itinerary, and we will keep those evenings free in Kathmandu.

How do you get to the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur?

Kirtipur is a hilltop town on the south-western edge of the Kathmandu Valley. Most visitors staying in Thamel or central Kathmandu go by taxi or ride-hailing app. Match-day traffic around the ground can be heavy, so leave early. If you are extending the visit beyond match day, our Nepal tours and destinations can help you find places to add around Kathmandu.

The ground has been upgraded for this season, with around 2,000 extra seats, a covered stand, an LED scoreboard, a family zone and better toilets.

A few practical points for evening matches:

• A 5 pm match usually finishes after dark, so arrange your ride back before you go in.
• November evenings in Kathmandu turn cool, and dew settles on the ground. Bring a warm layer.
• Arrive a few hours early and walk Kirtipur's old Newar town first. Bagh Bhairab Temple, Chilancho Stupa and the views across the valley make a good afternoon before an evening game.

How can you watch NPL 2026 from outside Nepal?

NetTV holds the worldwide online streaming rights for NPL 2026, and Himalaya Sports is the television broadcaster in Nepal. Viewers in India have been directed to FanCode. If you are in the USA, UK, Australia or the Gulf, check the NetTV app's availability in your country before match day, because streaming rights and apps can differ by market.

For many Nepali families abroad, the NPL is a good reason to plan the next trip home. If that is you, the planning sections below apply just as well.

Is the NPL season a good time to visit Nepal?

Yes, for most travellers. October and November are Nepal's most popular trekking months. The monsoon has usually cleared, days are generally dry, and mountain views tend to be at their best. Weather is never guaranteed, though, and autumn is also the busiest season: popular lodges fill up and domestic mountain flights are in high demand.

The NPL adds a second reason to visit, but it also adds a fixed date. If you are combining cricket with trekking, our Nepal trip planning information can help you structure the days around the matches. If you want to see the playoffs, your trek has to finish in time to get you back to Kathmandu by 17 November.

How can you fit a Nepal trek around the NPL?

The simplest rule: watch early-season matches before your trek, or trek first and come back for the playoffs. Here are three plans, depending on how much time you have.

Plan 1: Kathmandu Valley and cricket (7 to 9 days)

This suits travellers who are here mainly for the cricket. Spend your days at Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan, Bhaktapur, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, and your evenings at Kirtipur. Add an overnight at a valley-rim viewpoint for Himalayan sunrise views on a clear morning.

Plan 2: Matches plus a short Annapurna trek (about 2 weeks)

Watch two or three league matches, travel to Pokhara (home of the Pokhara Avengers), and walk a short trek such as Ghorepani Poon Hill or Mardi Himal. These routes stay lower than Everest Base Camp and need fewer days, which makes it easier to be back in Kathmandu for the playoffs.

Plan 3: Everest Base Camp or Manaslu around the playoffs (about 3 weeks)

Arrive in late October, catch a few matches, then start your trek in the first days of November. A standard Everest Base Camp itinerary of around 14 days in the Everest region, started then, is normally timed to return before the playoffs. Flights to and from Lukla depend on mountain weather, so keep at least one or two spare days. If the final matters to you, an Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return cuts the walk out and lowers the risk of missing it.

The Manaslu Circuit is the quieter alternative in the Manaslu region. It is reached by road, which removes the flight risk, but it is a restricted area with special permit, licensed-guide and group-size conditions. Our Manaslu Circuit permit guide explains the key permit considerations. We confirm current requirements when you enquire.

Altitude is a real factor on both routes. Good fitness helps, but it does not prevent altitude sickness, so choose an itinerary with proper acclimatisation days and do not cut them to make a match.

What else should cricket fans know before travelling to Nepal?

• Visa: most nationalities can get a tourist visa on arrival. The fee is US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days or US$125 for 90 days (Embassy of Nepal). Indian citizens do not need a visa, and SAARC nationals are exempt from the fee for 30 days. Confirm the current rules with Nepal's Department of Immigration before you fly.
• Insurance: if you are trekking, check that your policy covers the altitude you will reach and helicopter evacuation. Do not assume it does.
• More cricket in December: Kathmandu hosts the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-Off from 4 to 21 December 2026, with eight teams including Nepal, the UAE, Namibia and Canada (Kathmandu Post). If you miss the NPL, a December trip can still include international cricket.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Nepal Premier League 2026 being played?

All matches are at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu.

When is the NPL 2026 final?

Saturday 21 November 2026, under lights at Kirtipur.

How many teams are in the NPL?

Eight: Biratnagar Kings, Chitwan Rhinos, Janakpur Bolts, Karnali Yaks, Kathmandu Gorkhas, Lumbini Lions, Pokhara Avengers and Sudurpaschim Royals.

Can foreign tourists attend NPL matches?

Yes. Matches are open to anyone with a ticket. The main hurdle for visitors is buying tickets through local payment apps, so ask your hotel or tour operator for help.

How can I watch the Nepal Premier League in the USA?

NetTV holds the worldwide streaming rights for 2026. Check whether the NetTV app is available in the USA before match day.

Is November a good month to trek in Nepal?

November is one of the most popular trekking months, with generally settled weather and clear views. Expect busy trails and book flights and lodges early.

Planning a trip around the NPL?

Send us your match dates and how many days you have in Nepal, and we will suggest a trek that gets you back to Kathmandu in time. You can also customize your Nepal trip around the NPL schedule. Message us on WhatsApp at +977 9851017941 or email [email protected].