Nepal Super League to return in new format

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 18: The Nepal Super League (NSL), the country’s only franchise football tournament, will return in a new format from its fourth season. 

The organisers, Nepal Sports and Events Management, announced on Sunday that the competition will begin on 5 September and, for the first time, will be staged on a home‑and‑away basis.

All three previous editions of the NSL were held exclusively at the Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu.

The organisers also confirmed that the number of teams will be expanded to between 10 and 12. Seven clubs took part in the inaugural edition, while the second edition, held two years later, featured nine teams following the addition of Birgunj United FC and Sports Ilam De Mechi FC. However, both withdrew from the third edition, reducing the field back to seven.

At the announcement event, the Minister of Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokhrel, expressed hope that the NSL would take Nepali football to new heights. He said that franchise leagues play an important role in the development of sport, citing the Nepal Premier League (NPL) as an example in cricket. Pokhrel also remarked that the private sector has not yet been properly integrated into sport in Nepal.

Kathmandu Razors were crowned champions in the first edition, while Lalitpur City FC have dominated since, winning back‑to‑back titles.