NPL 2026 Schedule: Full Fixtures, Match Times and Kathmandu Travel Guide.

Guru Travels Limited 09 October 2026

The third season of the Nepal Premier League starts on 26 October 2026, just after the Dashain holidays end. For 27 days, Nepal's franchise T20 league comes to one ground in Kathmandu.

This guide puts the full NPL 2026 schedule in one place, with every match time in Nepal Time. You will also find out how to watch, what we know about tickets, and how to plan a simple trip to Kathmandu around the matches. We are Guru Travels Limited, a licensed tour operator in Kathmandu, so the travel advice comes from the work we do with visitors in the city every day.

A quick note on the name: "NPL" is also used for other leagues, such as the National Premier Leagues in Australian football. This page is only about the Nepal Premier League, the T20 cricket league run by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

NPL 2026 at a glance

NPL 2026 full schedule and fixtures (Nepal Time)

CAN released the full fixture list on 20 September 2026, as The Kathmandu Post reported. The table below follows that list. All matches are at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. All times are Nepal Time (NPT, which is UTC+5:45).

Schedules can change. Check CAN's official channels before you book travel or tickets.

NPL 2026 playoff schedule

The dates are fixed. The teams are not known until the league stage ends on 15 November.

How the NPL 2026 format works

•      Eight teams play each other once. That is seven league matches for each team and 28 league matches in total.

•      The top four teams on the points table go to the playoffs.

•      Qualifier 1 (17 November): the 1st and 2nd placed teams play each other.

•      Eliminator (18 November): the 3rd and 4th placed teams play. The loser is out.

•      Qualifier 2 (19 November): the loser of Qualifier 1 plays the winner of the Eliminator.

•      Grand Final (21 November): because the loser of Qualifier 1 plays Qualifier 2, the Qualifier 1 winner goes straight to the final.

For points, tie-breakers and reserve days, please read CAN's published playing conditions. We do not guess these rules.

The eight NPL 2026 teams

Past winners and finalists are from The Himalayan Times. Squads can change before the opening match, so check CAN for the latest lists.

What time do NPL 2026 matches start?

On single-match days, play starts at 4:30 PM Nepal Time. On double-header days, the first match starts at 12:30 PM and the second match starts at 4:30 PM. The first double-header is on Tuesday, 27 October. Nepal Standard Time is UTC+5:45.

The UK moves back to GMT on 25 October, one day before the opening match.

The 4:30 PM matches finish after dark, under floodlights. The TU ground hosted night matches for the first time in the second NPL season in November 2025.

How to watch NPL 2026 live

•      On TV in Nepal: Himalaya Television Network holds the Nepal TV rights. Ask your cable or DTH provider which channel carries the matches.

•      Online: NetTV holds the worldwide streaming rights. Nepali Telecom reports a price of Rs 400 for the full tournament in Nepal and $4 for the Middle East. Prices differ by region, so check the NetTV app before you pay.

•      At the ground: Tickets are sold through eSewa.

NPL 2026 tickets: what we know

eSewa holds the ticketing rights for NPL 2026, as Nepali Telecom reported. When we checked on 8 October 2026, we could not find official Season 3 ticket prices or sale dates. Third-party ticket pages say the same.

For reference only: in the first season (2024), CAN set ticket prices from Rs 300 for general entry to Rs 1,000 for VIP at the final. Please do not treat those as 2026 prices.

Buy only from eSewa's official NPL page or from links announced by CAN. Avoid unknown sellers and social media offers.

TU International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur: venue guide

•      Where it is: Inside the Tribhuvan University campus in Kirtipur, on the south-western side of Kathmandu. The ground sits at about 1,400 metres above sea level, according to Wikipedia.

•      History: The ground opened in 1998 and is Nepal's main international cricket ground.

•      Capacity: CAN currently lists the ground’s capacity at 15,000+, while reporting on the 2025 upgrade described seating for around 10,000 spectators Further expansion, up to a planned 30,000 seats, is under way, so capacity on match day may be different. Check before you travel.

Plan your NPL 2026 trip to Kathmandu

Most visitors stay in central Kathmandu and travel to Kirtipur for the match. Here is how we suggest you plan it.

Getting to Kathmandu

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Visa rules depend on your passport, so check the Department of Immigration website before you book. Guru Travels can arrange air tickets, airport pick-up and a private car with a driver.

Where to stay in Kathmandu

•      Thamel: budget and mid-range hotels, many restaurants, and easy to find taxis and drivers.

•      Durbarmarg and Lazimpat: larger hotels and quieter streets. Our own office is in Durbarmarg.

•      Patan (Lalitpur): an old Newar city with heritage streets, just across the river from Kathmandu.

Book early. Tihar falls in the middle of the tournament, and festival weeks are busy for travel in Nepal.

Getting to the ground

Kirtipur is on the south-western side of the city, and Kathmandu traffic can be heavy before a 4:30 PM start. Plan to arrive well before the first ball. Ask your hotel or driver for the current travel time on match day. Your options are a private car with a driver, a taxi or ride-hailing app, or local public transport. Public transport is the cheapest but the slowest and most crowded.

Match-day checklist

•      Your ticket on your phone, and a photo ID.

•      A warm layer. Kathmandu is high, and November evenings are cool.

•      A hat and sunscreen for the 12:30 PM matches.

•      A power bank and some small cash.

•      The stadium's list of allowed items. Check the official event notice, because rules can change.

Option 1: A private Kathmandu stay for match days

Our Magnificent Kathmandu Tour 3N/4D covers 3 nights and 4 days in Kathmandu. Tell our team your match dates when you enquire, and we will plan the sightseeing around the games. We can also book your hotel and a car for match days.

Option 2: The Capital & Lakes fixed departure tour (Kathmandu to Pokhara)

Our Fixed Departure Nepal Tour Package 4N/5D – Kathmandu and Pokhara leaves every Saturday from September 2026 to December 2027. We have run this Kathmandu to Pokhara route as a group departure for four years.

The days run like this: Saturday is arrival and a Welcome Dinner, Sunday is a full-day tour of four Kathmandu UNESCO sites, Monday is the drive to Pokhara (about 200 km; allow 7–8 hours in normal conditions, with additional time possible due to traffic, roadworks or weather.), Tuesday is Sarangkot sunrise and Phewa Lake, and Wednesday the tour ends. If you want more days, our 8N/9D Full Circuit tour adds Lumbini and Chitwan, and our Nepal Fixed Departure Tour guide lists all departure days.

How to combine matches and the tour

The Capital & Lakes tour fills Saturday to Wednesday, so there is no free match day during it. Watch your matches first, then start the tour on a Saturday. Saturday matches on 7 and 14 November start at 4:30 PM, which clashes with the Day 1 Welcome Dinner, so these plans use Friday matches:

• Plan A: Watch the Friday 6 November double-header (12:30 PM and 4:30 PM), then start the tour on Saturday 7 November.
• Plan B: Watch the Friday 13 November double-header, start the tour on Saturday 14 November, and finish in Pokhara on Wednesday 18 November. Fly back to Kathmandu on Thursday 19 November for Qualifier 2 at 4:30 PM, then watch the Grand Finale on Saturday 21 November. A morning flight is safer than the 7 to 8 hour drive. We can arrange domestic flights.

For visitors with only a few days, the best match days are the double-headers on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 15 November (the last league day), and the final on Saturday 21 November.

What can I do in Kathmandu on NPL rest days?

The rest days are 30 October, 4 November, 8 November and 11 November, and they are good days for sightseeing. Start with our guides to the 7 World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley, the Kathmandu Tour Package 2026 and 15 foods to try in Kathmandu.

8 November is both a rest day and Laxmi Puja, the Tihar night when homes and streets in Kathmandu are lit with lamps. Bhai Tika, the last day of Tihar, is one of the busiest travel days for local families, so book flights and cars early.

Is it safe to travel to Nepal for NPL 2026?

Kathmandu and Pokhara are open to visitors. The August 2026 floods affected specific areas, mainly Rasuwa, parts of Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha, and the Langtang trekking route. Read our Nepal flood safety update for the latest details.

About Guru Travels

Guru Travels Limited is the first and only public limited travel company in Nepal. It was set up in 2022 and is based at Durbar Marg, Kathmandu. The company is IATA accredited, won a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award in 2025 and 2026, and has served over 100,000 customers. Read more about Guru Travels. We also offer cricket travel packages for Nepal's matches abroad, and our guide to buying ICC T20 World Cup tickets from Nepal explains how that works.

NPL 2026 schedule: frequently asked questions

1. When does NPL 2026 start and end?

NPL 2026 (Season 3) starts on Monday, 26 October 2026, and ends with the Grand Final on Saturday, 21 November 2026. The tournament runs for 27 days.

2. Where are NPL 2026 matches played?

All 32 matches are played at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu. It is the only venue in the fixture list released by the Cricket Association of Nepal.

3. How many matches are there in NPL 2026?

There are 32 matches: 28 league matches and four playoff matches (Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the Grand Final). In the league stage, the eight teams play each other once.

4. Who plays in the NPL 2026 opening match?

Defending champions Lumbini Lions play Sudurpaschim Royals on Monday, 26 October 2026, at 4:30 PM Nepal Time.

5. What time do NPL 2026 matches start in Nepal?

On single-match days, play starts at 4:30 PM Nepal Time. On double-header days, the first match starts at 12:30 PM and the second at 4:30 PM.

6. When is the NPL 2026 final?

The Grand Final is on Saturday, 21 November 2026, at 4:30 PM Nepal Time, at the TU International Cricket Ground. There is a rest day on 20 November before the final.

7. Which teams play in NPL 2026?

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

8. Who won the NPL in 2024 and 2025?

Janakpur Bolts won the first season in 2024. Lumbini Lions won the second season in 2025. Sudurpaschim Royals lost the final both times.

9. How can I watch NPL 2026 live?

In Nepal, Himalaya Television Network holds the TV rights. NetTV holds the worldwide streaming rights, and Nepali Telecom reports a price of Rs 400 for the full tournament in Nepal. Check your TV provider and the NetTV app for current details.

10. How can I buy NPL 2026 tickets?

eSewa holds the ticketing rights. When we checked on 8 October 2026, official Season 3 prices and sale dates had not been announced. Buy only through eSewa's official NPL page.

11. Where should I stay in Kathmandu for NPL matches?

Most visitors stay in central Kathmandu, such as Thamel, Durbarmarg or Lazimpat, and travel to Kirtipur on match day. Book early, because Tihar falls during the tournament. Guru Travels can arrange hotels and a car with driver.

12. Can I see Kathmandu's sights between matches?

Yes. Rest days on 30 October and 4, 8 and 11 November, and the mornings before 4:30 PM matches, work well for sightseeing. Popular choices are the UNESCO heritage sites in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.

How we checked this guide

We built this page from published reports and checked the key facts against more than one source. We will update it when CAN, eSewa or NetTV announce changes.

• Schedule and format: The Kathmandu Post, 20 September 2026 and 8 August 2026.
• Dates and past champions: The Himalayan Times, 9 August 2026.
• TV, streaming and tickets: Nepali Telecom (streaming price) and Nepali Telecom (rights). 
• Venue: Wikipedia and Himal Press.