UP T20 League Season 4 launches in Lucknow, biggest opening ceremony set for August 14
Synopsis
UP T20 League Season 4 is going bigger than ever — a dual-city format spanning Lucknow and Kanpur, a star-studded opening ceremony on 14 August with sitar maestro Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and Jasmine Sandlas, and a first-ever proposal for a UP Women's T20 League. With new stadiums coming up in Varanasi and Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh is making a serious play to become India's next major cricket hub.
Key Takeaways
UP T20 League Season 4 was officially launched on 20 July at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow .
The opening ceremony is set for 14 August , featuring sitar maestro Rishab Rikhiram Sharma , singer Jasmine Sandlas , a drone show, and fireworks.
4,000 discounted tickets are available — Upper Block at ₹349 , Lower Wing at ₹499 — on the e-District App .
For the first time, the tournament spans two cities: Lucknow (14–26 August, 22 matches) and Kanpur (28 August–6 September, 12 matches).
A UP Women's T20 League has been proposed by Avanish Awasthi , Advisor to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister; the Governing Council has agreed to consider it.
New international cricket stadiums are planned in Varanasi and Gorakhpur , with Green Park Stadium, Kanpur set for renovation post-tournament.
The UP T20 League Season 4 was officially launched on Monday, 20 July at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, with organisers unveiling tickets for what they are billing as the grandest opening ceremony in the tournament's history. The event marks the start of a season that, for the first time, will span two cities across Uttar Pradesh.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 14 August at Ekana Stadium and will feature a performance by renowned sitar maestro Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and celebrated singer Jasmine Sandlas. A drone show and a grand fireworks display — described by organisers as a visual spectacle never seen before in Uttar Pradesh — will round out the evening. The ceremony will be hosted by sports anchor Jatin Sapru.
A batch of 4,000 discounted tickets was launched at the event on a first-come, first-served basis. Upper Block tickets are priced at ₹349, while Lower Wing tickets are available for ₹499. Tickets can be purchased through the e-District App.
Tournament Format and Schedule
Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, Chairman of the UP T20 League Governing Council, announced that Season 4 will be hosted across two venues for the first time. The first phase runs from 14 to 26 August at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, covering 22 matches including the opening ceremony. The second phase begins on 28 August at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, hosting 12 matches. The tournament concludes with the grand final and closing ceremony on 6 September in Kanpur. A total of six teams will compete this season.
Government's Sports Push in Uttar Pradesh
Chief Guest Avanish Awasthi, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, praised the league as a platform for the state's young cricketers and highlighted the government's expanding sports infrastructure. He noted that following the conclusion of the league, the historic Green Park Stadium in Kanpur will undergo renovation. A new international-standard cricket stadium in Varanasi is set to be dedicated to the public shortly, and the foundation stone for an international cricket stadium in Gorakhpur has already been laid.
Awasthi also advocated for the launch of a UP Women's T20 League, modelled on the men's competition, suggesting it begin with at least four teams. He indicated personal support if a Kanpur franchise were included. Dr. Kapoor assured that the proposal would be seriously considered.
Para Archer Sheetal Devi Honoured
Awasthi used the occasion to praise para archer Sheetal Devi, describing her journey as an inspiration to athletes across India. He noted that the Paralympic bronze medallist and World Championship gold medallist has brought extraordinary pride to the country through her achievements, shooting with her feet.
What's Next
With the opening ceremony less than a month away, attention will now turn to team announcements and match schedules. The dual-city format and the push for a women's league signal that the UP T20 League is positioning itself as a more ambitious, year-round cricket ecosystem within the state.
Point of View
Floated from the stage by a senior government advisor, carries weight; if it materialises, it would be one of the few state-level women's T20 competitions in India with government backing. The infrastructure announcements — Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Green Park renovation — suggest UP is building toward hosting bigger bilateral or IPL fixtures. Whether the league itself becomes a genuine talent pipeline or remains a marquee event will depend on whether the six franchises invest in scouting beyond Lucknow.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the UP T20 League Season 4 opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 14 August at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. It will feature performances by sitar maestro Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and singer Jasmine Sandlas, along with a drone show and fireworks display.
How much do UP T20 League Season 4 tickets cost?
Discounted tickets for the opening ceremony are priced at ₹349 for the Upper Block and ₹499 for the Lower Wing. A total of 4,000 discounted tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis through the e-District App.
What is the full schedule for UP T20 League Season 4?
The first phase runs from 14 to 26 August at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, covering 22 matches. The second phase begins 28 August at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, with 12 matches. The grand final and closing ceremony are on 6 September in Kanpur.
What is the UP Women's T20 League proposal?
Avanish Awasthi, Advisor to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, suggested launching a UP Women's T20 League modelled on the men's competition, starting with at least four teams. UP T20 League Governing Council Chairman Dr. Sanjay Kapoor said the proposal would be seriously considered.
What new cricket infrastructure is planned in Uttar Pradesh?
A new international-standard cricket stadium in Varanasi is set to be dedicated to the public soon, and the foundation stone for an international stadium in Gorakhpur has already been laid. Green Park Stadium in Kanpur is also scheduled for renovation after Season 4 concludes.
