Nepal's corporate sector has significantly supported the franchise-based Nepal Premier League (NPL) cricket tournament, which offers the highest cash prize in Nepali sports history. The tournament, organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), began on Saturday and will run until December 21.
The NPL features eight teams: Biratnagar Kings, Janakpur Bolts, Chitwan Rhinos, Kathmandu Gurkhas, Pokhara Avengers, Lumbini Lions, Karnali Yaks, and Sudurpaschim Royals. Each team has business groups backing them, with private-sector investment totaling millions of rupees.
According to team operators, each franchise has invested approximately Rs 100 million in acquiring players, sports equipment, training, coaching staff, and hotel arrangements. Suyash Pyakurel, operator of Biratnagar Kings, estimated that their total expenses could reach Rs 100 million, including team acquisition and related costs. Similarly, Sandesh Katuwal, CEO of Kathmandu Gurkhas, revealed that his team spent Rs 33.3 million on team acquisition alone, with additional expenses on Nepali and foreign players, travel, and equipment bringing the total to around Rs 80–90 million.
Although team owners do not anticipate recovering their investments immediately, sponsorships have emerged as a vital revenue source. Numerous brands have partnered with the teams. Sudurpaschim Royals is sponsored by Global IME Bank and Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance Company. Biratnagar Kings is backed by Everest Bank and Shrikesh Oil. Kathmandu Gurkhas has support from Chinese car manufacturer BYD, Prabhu Bank, Shikhar Insurance, and Citizen Life Insurance. Janakpur Bolts is sponsored by DNA Fashion Nepal, Rum Pum boodles, Techno, and Dhoni soap. Karnali Yaks has partnered with Mahindra Agni Group, which features its branding on the team's jerseys. Chitwan Rhinos is supported by Blue Star, Reliance Finance, and Nepal Insurance Company Limited. Lumbini Lions is backed by Ncell, with the announcement to be made on Sunday, December 1.
Siddhartha Bank has signed a five-year agreement with CAN as the primary sponsor of the NPL, while Ncell serves as the "powered by" partner.
The inaugural match, held at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, drew a large crowd and featured renowned players, including New Zealand’s Martin Guptill. The game, which saw Janakpur Bolts defeat Biratnagar Kings by eight wickets, was streamed live on YouTube via Action Sports Nepal, attracting over 1.934 million viewers.
The NPL boasts a record prize pool of Rs 21.1 million, surpassing the Rs 10 million prize offered in the 2014/15 National Football League by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). The champion team will receive Rs 11.1 million, while the runners-up will get Rs 5 million. Third and fourth-placed teams will receive Rs 3 million and Rs 2 million, respectively.
The private sector has further incentivized players with lucrative contracts. CAN partnered with Sharda Group, which will award a car to the Player of the Series. In the player auction, Group 'A' players secured contracts ranging from Rs 1 million to Rs 1.5 million, while Group 'B' and Group 'C' players received Rs 500,000–1 million and Rs 200,000–500,000, respectively.
