The Nepal Premier League (NPL) has begun its third season with projected business activity of NRs 1.5 billion (approx. USD 9.84 million), as the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) expands the tournament’s commercial operations and increases the champions’ prize money by 50 per cent. The franchise-based T20 competition, which began on October 26, is expected to generate substantial spending across the association and its eight teams, alongside revenue from sponsorships, broadcasting and ticket sales.
The projections were outlined at a press conference in Kathmandu ahead of the month-long tournament, with CAN officials also addressing questions about the league’s financial reporting, decision-making arrangements and the use of cricket-generated revenue.
Commercial expansion drives revenue expectations
The NPL’s projected NRs 1.5 billion (approx. USD 9.84 million) in economic activity encompasses transactions involving both CAN and the participating franchises, rather than representing revenue retained by the association.
CAN Treasurer Padam Bahadur Khadka, speaking at a press conference, outlined the league’s commercial expectations: “This season, we expect to earn Rs200 million from sponsorships and above Rs700 million from ticketing and broadcasting. Throughout the one month of the tournament, we expect that NPL’s gross revenue Rs1.5 billion.”
CAN anticipates generating approximately NRs 700 million to NRs 750 million (approx. USD 4.59 million to USD 4.92 million) through its commercial activities. The association has already secured NRs 326.8 million (approx. USD 2.14 million) from television and over-the-top (OTT) broadcasting rights for the third edition.
Tournament expenditure is also expected to increase. CAN has budgeted approximately NRs 300 million (approx. USD 1.97 million) for operations, including the introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS), alongside expanded promotional, marketing and branding activities.
The eight franchises are collectively expected to spend approximately NRs 1.2 billion (approx. USD 7.87 million) on their participation, including assembling and managing their squads. These estimates underline the scale of expenditure associated with staging the competition, although the projected turnover should not be confused with CAN’s earnings or eventual surplus.
Higher prize money for the leading teams
The NPL champions will receive NRs 15 million (approx. USD 98K), up from NRs 10 million (approx. USD 66K) awarded in each of the previous two seasons.
The runners-up will collect NRs 8 million (approx. USD 53K), while the third- and fourth-placed teams will receive NRs 4 million (approx. USD 26K) and NRs 3 million (approx. USD 20K), respectively.
Khadka linked the revised rewards to the tournament’s commercial outlook, adding: “As a result, the prize money has also been increased.”
The revised prize structure was approved through the league’s existing decision-making arrangements. Khadka explained: “The decision has been made by the NPL’s governing council with the permission of CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand.”
CAN addresses questions over financial transparency
The tournament’s expanding commercial footprint has brought renewed attention to CAN’s financial disclosures and the governance of the franchise competition.
Financial statements from the inaugural season showed revenue of NRs 276.96 million (approx. USD 1.82 million) against expenditure of NRs 201.57 million (approx. USD 1.32 million). Following payments and distributions to other parties, CAN retained NRs 24.65 million (approx. USD 162K).
The first season’s accounts were not made public until nearly seven months after the competition concluded, prompting questions about the timeliness of financial reporting.
The second edition generated higher reported revenue of NRs 473.60 million (approx. USD 3.10 million), while expenditure reached NRs 219.60 million (approx. USD 1.44 million). The difference before revenue sharing was approximately NRs 253.99 million (approx. USD 1.67 million), with CAN ultimately retaining NRs 92.12 million (approx. USD 605K) after distributions.
Those figures represent CAN’s reported tournament finances rather than the combined business activity of the association and its franchises. They also do not independently establish the proportion of revenue allocated to cricket development.
CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand defended the authority delegated to the NPL governing council, explaining that operational decisions sometimes required immediate action rather than waiting for meetings of the association’s board. Such decisions could subsequently be submitted to CAN’s board for consideration and approval.
Chand also clarified that the NPL had not been constituted as a separate legal entity, meaning its financial transactions form part of CAN’s accounts and auditing arrangements.
CAN Secretary Paras Khadka said the association had submitted financial information to the National Sports Council, the relevant ministry and the government. He also acknowledged the media’s scrutiny of CAN’s operations and indicated that identified procedural weaknesses would be addressed.
League growth strengthens Nepal cricket’s commercial profile
Beyond the financial projections, CAN officials pointed to the NPL’s growing position within Nepal’s cricket landscape.
Chand highlighted the factors contributing to the competition’s development, stating: “The participation of top players, support from sponsors and economic activity generated by the tournament have raised the league’s profile.”
The tournament has received International Cricket Council (ICC) sanction, with its matches carrying official T20 status. The addition of DRS also represents a further development in the competition’s playing arrangements.
The NPL’s expansion follows two editions in which CAN recorded increasing tournament revenue, while franchise participation and commercial partnerships have become central components of the league’s operations.
Cricket development remains a priority for CAN
The association has also linked income generated through the NPL to its wider responsibilities for cricket across Nepal.
CAN Secretary Paras Khadka said the organisation’s revenue supports district and provincial cricket bodies, national teams, age-group programmes and women’s cricket.
Addressing the financial demands of organising competitions, Khadka said: “Organizing even a regular tournament can cost between Rs 7 million and Rs 10 million.”
The association faces further expenditure as its domestic and international cricket commitments expand. Khadka added: “With the number of international and domestic tournaments expected to increase in the coming years, revenue generated by cricket must be reinvested in the sport’s development.”
The secretary’s comments come as CAN seeks to balance the commercial growth of its flagship franchise competition with the financial requirements of cricket administration and development.
NPL third season gets underway
The tournament will run until November 21 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, with eight franchise teams competing in the third edition.
The tournament opened on October 26 with defending champions Lumbini Lions securing a seven-wicket victory over Sudur Paschim Royals. After restricting the Royals to 87, the Lions chased down the 88-run target in just 9.5 overs, finishing with 61 balls remaining.
With increased prize money, substantial projected commercial activity and additional tournament investment, the third season provides CAN with another opportunity to expand the NPL while its financial reporting and governance arrangements remain under scrutiny.
