KATHMANDU, October 25: The winners of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 3 will receive a record prize of Rs15 million, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced on Sunday, raising the stakes for franchises competing in the country's premier T20 tournament.
The announcement was made during a press conference held ahead of the tournament's opening match. According to CAN, the runners-up will receive Rs8 million, while the teams finishing third and fourth will take home Rs4 million and Rs3 million, respectively.
The revised prize structure means that the four playoff teams will share a total of Rs30 million, providing an additional financial incentive as franchises compete for the championship.
CAN treasurer Padam Khadka said the increase in prize money reflects the growing commercial value of the league and its expanding revenue streams.
According to Khadka, the association expects sponsorship revenue of around Rs200 million, while ticket sales and broadcasting are projected to generate more than Rs700 million. CAN has also estimated gross revenue of approximately Rs1.5 billion during the month-long tournament.
He clarified that the revised prize structure was approved by CAN president Chatur Bahadur Chand following a decision by the NPL governing council. The revenue figures represent CAN's projections rather than audited financial results.
The prize money has increased across all four finishing positions compared with the inaugural 2024 edition. However, reports from the first season differ on the exact amount awarded to the champions, with some outlets reporting Rs10 million and others Rs11 million.
The third edition of the NPL will feature 32 matches from October 26 to November 21, with all fixtures scheduled at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
Defending champions Lumbini Lions will face Sudurpaschim Royals in the opening match. The two sides also contested last season's final, where Lumbini secured the championship with a six-wicket victory.
The playoff stage is scheduled to begin on November 17 with Qualifier 1, followed by the Eliminator on November 18 and Qualifier 2 on November 19. The tournament will conclude with the grand final on November 21.
Another significant development for Season 3 is the introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS), which will be used in the league for the first time. The move is expected to strengthen officiating standards and bring the competition closer to the technology used in major international T20 tournaments.
With increased prize money, expanded commercial expectations and the introduction of DRS, NPL Season 3 represents another important step in the development of franchise cricket in Nepal.
For the eight competing franchises, the target is now more rewarding than ever, with the eventual champions set to take home Rs15 million along with the NPL trophy.