NPL 2026 Teams: Owners, Cities & Past Finishes
Updated
The Nepal Premier League has eight city franchises, one or more for each of Nepal’s seven provinces. Every match in 2026 is played in Kirtipur, but fans still follow “their” province’s team. Here is each franchise at a glance; the live teams page carries current squads and results.
Teams, owners and franchise fees
| Team | Home (province) | Owner | Fee (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biratnagar Kings | Biratnagar (Koshi) | M.A.D. Dream Sports | Rs 1.51 crore |
| Chitwan Rhinos | Bharatpur (Bagmati) | Chitwan Medical College | Rs 1.76 crore |
| Janakpur Bolts | Janakpur (Madhesh) | Dream Sports | Rs 2.05 crore |
| Karnali Yaks | Birendranagar (Karnali) | Himalayan Builders | Rs 1.11 crore |
| Kathmandu Gorkhas | Kathmandu (Bagmati) | Kathmandu Sports Development Venture | Rs 3.33 crore |
| Lumbini Lions | Siddharthanagar (Lumbini) | Fortuna Health Care | Rs 1.86 crore |
| Pokhara Avengers | Pokhara (Gandaki) | Nepal T20 Cricket Pvt. Ltd. | Rs 3.57 crore |
| Sudurpaschim Royals | Dhangadhi (Sudurpashchim) | Empire Sports | Rs 1.68 crore |
The eight franchises sold for a combined Rs 16.89 crore (about US$1.1 million) at the September 2024 franchise auction. Pokhara went for the most and Karnali for the least. Kathmandu were called the Gurkhas in 2024 and renamed the Gorkhas for 2025.
Where each team finished
| Team | 2024 league | 2025 league | Best result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudurpaschim Royals | 1st | 1st | Runner-up 2024, 2025 |
| Janakpur Bolts | 2nd | 8th | Champion 2024 |
| Lumbini Lions | 8th | 4th | Champion 2025 |
| Biratnagar Kings | 6th | 2nd | Playoffs 2025 |
| Kathmandu Gorkhas | 5th | 3rd | Playoffs 2025 |
| Chitwan Rhinos | 3rd | 7th | Playoffs 2024 |
| Karnali Yaks | 4th | 6th | Playoffs 2024 |
| Pokhara Avengers | 7th | 5th | League stage |
The pattern is striking: Sudurpaschim topped the table both years and lost both finals, while both champions came from lower in the table, Lumbini from last place the year before. Follow this season’s race on the NPL 2026 points table.
Captains for 2026
Captains and coaches for every team are in our NPL 2026 squads guide; past winners are in the winners list.
FAQ
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.
Who owns Kathmandu Gorkhas?
Kathmandu Sports Development Venture is listed as the owner; the franchise was bought for Rs 3.33 crore in 2024.
Which is the most expensive NPL franchise?
Pokhara Avengers, sold for Rs 3.57 crore in 2024.
Which NPL team has never won the title?
Six teams are still waiting: everyone except Janakpur Bolts (2024) and Lumbini Lions (2025).