Nepal Premier League 2026: Where to Watch in India

Nepal Premier League 2026: Where to Watch in India

The Nepal Premier League 2026 is set to bring another month of franchise cricket to Kirtipur, with eight teams competing across 32 matches for the championship. The third season begins on October 26, when defending champions Lumbini Lions meet Sudurpaschim Royals at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. The final is scheduled for November 21.

With international stars joining Nepal’s leading players, increased prize money and the introduction of the Decision Review System, this edition promises to be a significant step forward for the competition. Here is a guide to the schedule, format, streaming options, prize pool and team squads—along with an early prediction of what could shape the title race.

Nepal Premier League 2026: Format and key dates

The league stage runs from October 26 to November 15. Each franchise will play the other seven teams once, giving every side seven league matches. The top four in the standings will advance to the playoffs, which consist of Qualifier 1, the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, followed by the final on November 21.

All matches will be held at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. Keeping the tournament at one venue gives teams a consistent setting, although conditions, pitch wear and familiarity with the ground could become increasingly important as the schedule progresses.

What is new this season?

The 2026 competition has received recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC), a development that gives the league greater international standing. It also means performances can contribute to players’ official T20 records, adding extra significance to individual milestones and team results.

The Decision Review System (DRS) is another important addition. Teams will be able to challenge certain on-field decisions, bringing a familiar feature of top-level cricket to the tournament. Reviews can influence close calls involving dismissals and other eligible decisions, making captaincy and the timing of challenges part of the tactical contest.

Nepal Premier League 2026 prize money

The top four teams will share a total prize pool of Rs 30 million. The champions will receive Rs 15 million, while the runners-up will earn Rs 8 million. The third- and fourth-placed teams are set to receive Rs 4 million and Rs 3 million, respectively.

The Cricket Association of Nepal expects the tournament to generate around Rs 1.5 billion in economic activity. That forecast reflects more than match-day spending: a high-profile league can support hospitality, transport, local businesses, sports broadcasting and the wider visibility of Nepali cricket.

How to watch Nepal Premier League 2026 in India and Nepal

Cricket fans in India can stream the Nepal Premier League exclusively on FanCode. In Nepal, matches will be broadcast on Himalaya Sports TV and made available through the NetTV app with a paid subscription. Viewers should check each service for current access requirements and match coverage before the tournament begins.

Teams, overseas signings and title prediction

The eight squads combine established Nepali internationals with overseas players who bring experience from major domestic and franchise competitions. Among the headline names are David Warner, Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, Moeen Ali, Sikandar Raza and James Neesham. Their presence gives the league added star power, while also offering local players opportunities to compete alongside and learn from experienced professionals.

Early prediction: Defending champions Lumbini Lions will attract attention, but the expanded international depth across the competition makes a repeat title far from certain. Teams with strong all-round options may have an advantage in a short league stage, where a single loss can quickly affect playoff qualification. The playoff format also rewards finishing near the top: Qualifier 1 offers the leading teams an additional route to the final, while the Eliminator leaves less room for error.

As the tournament unfolds, the most useful indicators for fans to watch will be consistency across the seven league games, how overseas players adapt to local conditions and whether teams use DRS effectively in pressure situations. These factors could prove just as important as big-name signings.

Nepal Premier League 2026 squads and captains

Sudurpaschim Royals — Dipendra Singh Airee (captain)

Binod Bhandari, Dipak Bohara, Brandon McMullen, Scott Kuggeleijn, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Tek Rawat, Ayub Chand, Tek Raj Thalal, Abinash Bohara, Hemant Dhami, Hikmat Mahara, Milan Bohara, Sachin Bhatt and Saif Zaib.

Kathmandu Gurkhas — Kushal Bhurtel (captain)

Dinesh Kharel, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunny BK, Arjun Kumal, Bipin Khatri, Kiran Thagunna, Arjun Gharti, Bipin Acharya, Sagar Dhakal, Aakash Chand, Sudip Aryal, Bibek Rana Magar and Pratik Pokharel.

Biratnagar Kings — Rohit Paudel (captain)

Niroshan Dickwella, Sundeep Jora, Dilip Nath, Aasif Sheikh, Aakash Tripathi, D’Arcy Short, Sher Malla, Arniko Yadav, Ruben Trumpelmann, Dinesh Adhikari, Abhishesh Gautam, Tilak Bhandari, Kishore Mahato, Durgesh Gupta, Ajay Chauhan and Shadley van Schalkwyk.

Pokhara Avengers — Sompal Kami (captain)

Ariful Islam, Deepak Dumre, Sachin Sharma, Mark Watt, Gulshan Jha, Pawan Sarraf, Unish Bikram Singh, Shubh Kansakar, Bipin Sharma, Nandan Yadav, Yuvraj Khatri, Dipendra Rawat and Surya Tamang.

Chitwan Rhinos — Karan KC (captain)

David Warner, KS Bharat, Bhim Sharki, Sahil Patel, Suryanshu Koirala, Sahan Arachchige, Mohammad Aadil Alam, Santosh Yadav, Prasiddha Jaishi, Dev Shah, Rashid Khan, Krishna Paudel, Shahab Alam, Dayanand Mandal and Sonu Devkota.

Janakpur Bolts — Harmeet Singh (captain)

Anil Sah, Bikash Aagri, Aaditya Mahata, Bishal Patel, Rit Gautam, Santosh Karki, Iftikhar Ahmed, James Neesham, Moeen Ali, Mayan Yadav, Trit Raj Das, Abhishek Tiwari, Amar Singh Rautela, Lalit Rajbanshi, Ashutosh Pandey and Bishal Shusling.

Lumbini Lions — Kushal Malla (captain)

Deepak Bohara, Dev Khanal, Arjun Saud, Bipin Rawal, Ravi Bopara, Sikandar Raza, Bibek Kumar Yadav, Salahuddin Khan, Kaleem Sana, Usama Mir, Rijan Dhakal, Ranjeet Kumar, Kamal Singh Airee, Mousom Dhakal, Ashok Dhami and Gautam KC.

Karnali Yaks — Sandeep Lamichhane (captain)

Lokesh Bam, Dilsad Ali, Sujan Thapaliya, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Shubham Ranjane, Basir Ahamad, Narayan Joshi, Pratish GC, Rupesh Kumar Singh, Naren Saud, Pratik Shrestha, Imran Sheikh, Subash Bhandari, Aprajit Poudel and Angelo Mathews.

With a clear route from the league stage to the playoffs, a substantial prize pool and a deep mix of local and overseas talent, the Nepal Premier League 2026 is positioned as a major event on Nepal’s cricket calendar. The opening clash between Lumbini Lions and Sudurpaschim Royals will offer the first indication of which teams are ready to turn pre-season expectations into results.

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