NPL 2026 Travel Guide: How to Reach Kirtipur by Bus from the Terai and Beyond

Last updated: 28 October 2026

Quick answer: NPL Season 3 runs from 26 October to 21 November 2026, and all 32 matches are played at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Kathmandu. Afternoon matches start at 12:30 PM and evening matches at 5:00 PM. League-stage tickets cost Rs 500 (general) and Rs 1,000 (premium). If you are travelling from the Terai, take an overnight bus that reaches Kathmandu early in the morning, then head to Kirtipur through Kalanki and Balkhu. Plan your return around the match slot: a 12:30 PM match usually ends in time for an evening departure home, while a 5:00 PM match usually means staying one night in Kathmandu.

The Nepal Premier League has turned Kirtipur into the busiest cricket destination in the country. Fans now travel overnight from Biratnagar, Janakpur, Chitwan, Bhairahawa, Kohalpur and Dhangadhi just to sit in the stands for one evening and cheer for their province.

This NPL 2026 travel guide is written for those fans. It covers the full Season 3 match calendar for each team, how match timings should decide which bus you book, how to get from the bus park to the stadium, what tickets cost, and how to plan around Tihar and Chhath, which fall right in the middle of the tournament this year. As a bus booking platform covering around 58 destinations across Nepal, GoMyGo put this guide together for one reason: on an NPL trip, the right bus decision is often the difference between a great match day and a missed toss.

NPL Season 3 at a Glance

Before you plan the journey, here are the tournament facts that matter for travel.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) moved evening starts from 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM this season after introducing the Decision Review System (DRS), so older schedules you find online may show the wrong time. You can check the official fixture announcement in this NPL Season 3 schedule report.

This season also carries extra weight. The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially recognised the NPL in October 2026, which gives every 2026 match official T20 status. The champions will take home Rs 15 million, up from Rs 11 million last season, and each of the eight franchises fields six overseas players. Bigger names on the field usually mean faster ticket sales, so plan early.

Why So Many Fans Travel to Kirtipur for the NPL

The NPL is built around provinces. Each of the eight teams represents a region, and that is exactly why supporters travel. Since the first season, local media have reported fans leaving Chitwan as early as 3 AM to reach Kirtipur for a morning match, and supporters arriving from as far as Kohalpur after travelling through the night.

The economic picture backs this up. CAN expects direct business linked to Season 3 to cross Rs 1.5 billion, and hotel industry leaders have pointed out that supporters of Sudurpaschim, Biratnagar, Lumbini and Chitwan are travelling from across the country and spending on stays, food and transport. You can read more in this report on the NPL's economic footprint.

In short, the NPL is now a travel event, not just a cricket event. The fans who enjoy it most are the ones who plan the trip as carefully as the match.

Match Time Decides Your Bus: The 12:30 PM vs 5:00 PM Rule

This is the single most useful planning rule in this guide. Every NPL match starts at either 12:30 PM or 5:00 PM, and that start time should decide your entire journey.

A T20 match normally lasts around three and a half hours including breaks, so an afternoon match usually finishes around 4:00 PM and an evening match around 8:30–9:00 PM. With DRS reviews this season, allow a little extra time.

Why the 12:30 PM slot is easiest for Terai fans

If your team plays at 12:30 PM, you can travel overnight, watch the match, and board an evening bus home without paying for a room. For fans from Biratnagar, Janakpur, Bhairahawa or Kohalpur, this is the most cost-efficient match-day plan.

Why the 5:00 PM slot needs a night in Kathmandu

Evening matches are the most exciting to watch under the floodlights, but they end after most long-distance coaches have already departed Kathmandu. Instead of rushing, book a room near Kalanki, Balkhu or Kirtipur and take a morning bus home the next day. Fans from closer cities such as Chitwan, Hetauda or Pokhara have a second option: take an early-morning day bus on match day itself and still reach Kirtipur well before 5:00 PM.

Team-by-Team Guide: When Your Team Plays and Which Route to Take

Below are the remaining league fixtures for each team from 31 October 2026, along with the cities most of their supporters travel from. All matches are at Kirtipur, and all times are Nepal Standard Time.

Biratnagar Kings (Koshi Province)

Main departure cities: Biratnagar, Itahari, Dharan, Damak, Birtamode, Kakarbhitta

Most buses from the eastern Terai use the BP Highway through Sindhuli, which is the shortest road link between Koshi Province and Kathmandu. Journey times from Itahari and Biratnagar are typically 9–11 hours, and 11–13 hours from Damak, Birtamode or Kakarbhitta. For route details, see our Kathmandu to Itahari bus guide and Kathmandu to Damak bus guide.

Best pick for travelling fans: the 3 November and 12 November afternoon matches fit the overnight-in, evening-out plan.

Janakpur Bolts (Madhesh Province)

Main departure cities: Janakpur, Birgunj, Malangwa, Jaleshwar, Lahan, Rajbiraj

Janakpur buses also use the BP Highway, with a typical journey of 7–9 hours. Buses from Birgunj usually take 6–8 hours. Our Janakpur to Kathmandu bus guide and Kathmandu to Malangwa bus guide cover departure points and coach types.

Watch out: the 13 November match against Chitwan falls on Nahay Khay, the first day of Chhath. If your family observes Chhath, read the festival section below before booking.

Chitwan Rhinos (Bagmati Province)

Main departure cities: Bharatpur, Narayanghat, Tandi, Hetauda

Chitwan fans have the easiest journey of any Terai team. Buses from Narayanghat usually take 5–6 hours, so an early-morning day bus can get you to Kirtipur in time for a 5:00 PM start. See our Chitwan to Kathmandu bus guide for departure options.

Lumbini Lions (Lumbini Province)

Main departure cities: Bhairahawa (Siddharthanagar), Butwal, Lumbini

Buses from Bhairahawa and Butwal typically take 8–9 hours and enter Kathmandu from the west through Naubise and Nagdhunga, arriving close to Kalanki. That makes Kirtipur one of the quickest stadium transfers for Lumbini fans. Our Kathmandu to Bhairahawa bus guide has more on this route.

Karnali Yaks (Karnali Province)

Main departure cities: Surkhet, Kohalpur, Nepalgunj

Most Karnali supporters travel through Kohalpur or Nepalgunj, with typical journeys of 12–16 hours. Karnali has four afternoon matches left, which suits long-distance fans: arrive in the morning, watch the match, and leave the same evening.

Sudurpaschim Royals (Sudurpaschim Province)

Main departure cities: Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar, Tikapur, Attariya

Sudurpaschim fans face the longest road journey in the league, typically 15–18 hours from Dhangadhi or Mahendranagar. For a 12:30 PM match, leave home the previous afternoon. For a 5:00 PM match, consider arriving a day early, resting, and treating it as a two-night trip.

Pokhara Avengers (Gandaki Province)

Main departure city: Pokhara

Pokhara buses usually take 6–7 hours. A 6:00–7:00 AM departure gets you to Kirtipur comfortably before a 5:00 PM match.

Kathmandu Gurkhas

Valley fans can follow the same last-mile advice in the next section. Their remaining fixtures are 2 November (12:30 PM), 5, 7 and 9 November (5:00 PM), 13 November (12:30 PM) and 15 November (5:00 PM).

Typical bus journey times to Kathmandu

These are typical times in normal traffic. Festival weeks, roadworks and weather can add hours, so always leave a buffer of at least two hours before match time.

How to Get from the Bus Park to the TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur

Kirtipur sits on a hill southwest of central Kathmandu, and the stadium is inside the Tribhuvan University campus. Where you get off the bus decides how long the last stretch takes.

If you arrive from the west (Kalanki): this is the closest drop-off point. From Kalanki, follow the Ring Road south to Balkhu, then turn uphill towards Kirtipur and the TU campus. It is a short ride by taxi or ride-hailing app outside rush hour.

If you arrive at Gongabu (New Bus Park): this is the valley's main long-distance bus park, on the northern side of the Ring Road. Travel south along the Ring Road through Kalanki to Balkhu. In match-day traffic, allow 45 minutes to an hour.

If you arrive from the east (BP Highway): many buses from Koshi and Madhesh drop passengers around Koteshwor. From there, the southern Ring Road via Satdobato and Ekantakuna leads to Balkhu. This is the longest transfer, so give yourself the most time.

Local bus option: regular local buses run between Ratna Park and Kirtipur, taking around 25–30 minutes in normal traffic. This is the cheapest option if you are already in central Kathmandu.

Match-day transfer tips

• Leave early. The roads around Balkhu and the TU gates get crowded before evening matches. Aim to reach the stadium at least 90 minutes before the start.

• Fix your meeting point. If you are travelling as a group, agree on a gate before entering. Season 3 has new team-branded welcome gates outside the ground, which make easy landmarks.

• Plan your exit. After an evening match, thousands of people leave at once. Walk a little away from the main gate before calling a ride, or wait 20–30 minutes for the crowd to thin.

NPL 2026 Ticket Prices and How to Buy

CAN has fixed Season 3 ticket prices as follows, according to this NPL 2026 ticket price announcement:

In the first two seasons, NPL tickets were sold online through the Khalti app, and opening-day tickets sold out quickly both years. Check CAN's official NPL channels for this season's ticketing platform and any on-site sales.

The most important rule: buy your match ticket before you book your bus. If the match sells out, you do not want to be holding a bus ticket to Kathmandu with no way into the ground. Once your match ticket is confirmed, book your bus and your return straight after.

NPL, Tihar and Chhath 2026: How to Plan Around the Festivals

This season, the NPL runs straight through Nepal's busiest festival weeks. That affects both your match plans and bus availability, because thousands of people will be travelling home at the same time.

The government's Tihar holiday runs from 8 to 12 November, and Chhath Sandhya Arghya on 15 November is a public holiday. The good news is that CAN has kept Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika as rest days.

What this means for Madhesh and Terai fans

Many families in the Terai travel home for Chhath, and this year the final league week overlaps with all four days of the festival. If you plan to celebrate Chhath at home, the most practical option is to watch your team's matches before 10 November and travel home before the Chhath rush. Janakpur Bolts fans in particular will have to choose between the 13 November match against Chitwan and being home for Nahay Khay.

The return wave and the playoffs

Once Usha Arghya ends on the morning of 16 November, thousands of people head back to Kathmandu for work and study. The NPL playoffs begin the very next day. Buses into Kathmandu on 16 and 17 November are likely to be among the busiest of the season, so if you plan to return for the playoffs, book your seat well in advance.

NPL 2026 Playoffs and Final: Travel Plan for 17–21 November

The top four teams after the league stage qualify for the playoffs.

All playoff matches start at 5:00 PM, so every playoff trip from outside the valley should include at least one night in Kathmandu.

Planning tips for the playoffs:

1. Wait for the final standings, then move fast. The playoff line-up will only be clear after the last league match on 15 November. Playoff tickets cost more, and demand peaks once fans know their team has qualified.

2. Use the 20 November rest day. If your team reaches Qualifier 2 on 19 November and wins, the rest day gives you time to arrange a room and a return seat before the final.

3. Book your return for 22 November. The final ends late on a Saturday night. A Sunday morning departure is the calmest way home.

Where to Stay in Kathmandu for NPL Matches

You do not need a hotel in the city centre for an NPL trip. Stay close to either the stadium or your departure bus park.

• Kirtipur: best for walking to the ground after an evening match. Kirtipur has small guesthouses and budget stays, many in its old town.

• Kalanki and Balkhu: the best balance. Close to the stadium, and close to where western buses arrive and depart.

• Gongabu area: best if your return bus leaves early in the morning from the New Bus Park.

Rooms fill quickly during Tihar and on playoff nights, so book as soon as your match ticket is confirmed.

Match-Day Checklist for Travelling Fans

• Your match ticket (digital copy saved offline, plus a screenshot)

• Your bus ticket confirmation for both directions

• A valid ID card

• A charged phone and a power bank

• A light jacket for evening matches, as November nights in Kirtipur get cool

• Some cash for food stalls and local transport

• Team jersey, flag or scarf

• CAN's latest entry rules on bags and prohibited items, checked before you leave home

Explore Nepal with GoMyGo

The NPL is the biggest reason to travel to Kathmandu this November, but the journey should be as smooth as the cricket is exciting. Whether you are travelling overnight from Biratnagar, catching a morning bus from Chitwan, or planning a two-night trip from Dhangadhi, booking your seat in advance takes the stress out of match day.

You can compare departure times, coach types and seat availability on the GoMyGo website, or book on the move when you download the GoMyGo app for Android or iOS.

Paying is simple. You can pay with fonePay or ConnectIPS, international travellers can use PayPal, and Indian travellers can pay with Indian UPI.

Every booking comes with instant email and SMS confirmation, and our support team is available 24/7 on WhatsApp at +977 9704-666777 if your plans change or you need help on the road.

Final Words

The NPL has become a festival of its own, and the best seats in Kirtipur often belong to the fans who travelled the furthest. Check when your team plays, match your bus to the 12:30 PM or 5:00 PM slot, buy your match ticket first, and give yourself time around Tihar and Chhath. Get those four things right, and the only thing left to worry about is the last over.