NPL Season 3 Preparations Enter Final Stage at TU Ground

With a little over two weeks left before the first ball is bowled, the Cricket Association of Nepal says upgrading and management work at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur is nearly complete, with expanded seating and improved fan facilities the headline promises for Season 3.

Khadka: "We plan to complete all the work by Dashain"

Preparations for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League have entered their final stage, with upgrading and management work at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur nearing completion. Cricket Association of Nepal Secretary Paras Khadka said infrastructure and management work has been accelerated with about three weeks remaining before the tournament begins.

As the league grows with each edition, CAN is working to give spectators, players, journalists and guests a better experience than before, Khadka told the national news agency RSS. "We are in the final stage of preparations. Expectations are high, and as the tournament grows, so does our responsibility," he said. "We plan to complete all the work by Dashain and be fully ready for the third edition."

The countdown is genuine. The NPL Season 3 schedule opens on October 26, when defending champions Lumbini Lions meet Sudurpaschim Royals, and runs through the Grand Finale on November 21. With Dashain falling this weekend, the association's self-imposed deadline leaves only days of margin.

Bigger crowds, better facilities

NPL matches at Kirtipur routinely draw huge crowds, and CAN is moving to make room for more of them. Suitable areas within the ground premises have been identified, and structural modifications are being carried out to maximise available space and increase spectator capacity. Several new structures are planned for the ground this year, addressing management problems observed during the previous edition.

Improvements are also being made to access roads and entrance gates in coordination with the relevant government ministry. Particular attention is being given to ensuring smooth movement for ticket holders from the moment they arrive at the ground until they leave after the matches — a direct response to complaints from past seasons.

Spectators faced problems with toilets, dust and movement around the venue during the previous edition, and Khadka confirmed that CAN is working to prevent those problems from recurring. For fans heading to Kirtipur, the ticket and fan-zone guide explains how to plan the trip.

Festival calendar will not dent the crowds, CAN says

This year's tournament is being held between Dashain and Tihar, a period when spectator attendance could potentially be affected by the festive season — but CAN is not overly concerned. Khadka said Nepal has a strong cricket fan base and expects spectators to turn up despite the timing.

The tournament dates were determined primarily by the international cricket calendar, the schedules of other franchise leagues and the availability of foreign players. Weighing those factors, the association judged the window between the two biggest Nepali festivals as the best fit for this year's campaign.

There is recent precedent for the league thriving in this slot: the second edition was also played across the festive period and still drew the biggest crowds in the competition's history. With overseas stars on show and every seat at a premium, CAN expects demand to outstrip supply again.

International stars headline the buildup

While the builders are at work at Kirtipur, the eight franchises have stepped up their efforts to sign prominent international cricketers for the third season. CAN expects the presence of overseas stars to further boost interest in the league — and to justify the investment in a bigger, better venue.

"This time, every team is bringing in top players. Fans will now be able to watch players they have seen on television playing live at the Kirtipur ground," Khadka said. Kathmandu Gorkhas have signed former Australia captain David Warner, Pokhara Avengers have landed Shakib Al Hasan, and Janakpur Bolts have added two-time World Cup winner Moeen Ali — the strongest overseas cast the league has ever assembled.

For supporters planning their Season 3 trips, the streaming guide and team pages cover every way to follow the action, home and away. The third edition of the NPL will be held in Kathmandu from October 26 to November 21, with all matches at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground.