What Is the Nepal Premier League? History & Format

Updated Mon, 26 Oct 2026

The Nepal Premier League (NPL) is Nepal’s franchise Twenty20 cricket league, run by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Season 3 runs from 26 October to 21 November 2026. Live scores are on our NPL live score page.

How it started

CAN announced the league in January 2024, soon after Nepal qualified for the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. It replaced the 2022 Nepal T20 League, which was shut down after match-fixing and corruption allegations. The eight franchises sold for a combined Rs 16.89 crore in September 2024, and the first season was played that November and December.

The format

• Eight teams in a single round-robin: meet the teams.
• 28 league matches, then an IPL-style playoff of Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and Final: how qualification works.
• One venue: the TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.
• Squads of 16 to 17, up to 14 domestic players plus overseas signings: 2026 squads.

What is new in 2026

On 16 October 2026 the ICC sanctioned the league, which gives its matches official status and lets active Test players take part. Season 3 is also the first with the Decision Review System, and the winner’s prize rises to Rs 1.5 crore.

Champions so far

Janakpur Bolts won in 2024 and Lumbini Lions in 2025, both beating Sudurpaschim Royals in the final. Details in the NPL winners list.