UPL 2026: Haridwar Elmas vs Nainital Tigers opens men's season on Sep 22
Synopsis
Uttarakhand's premier T20 league returns for a third edition with a broader format than ever — women's cricket leads the way on September 21 before Haridwar Elmas and Nainital Tigers launch the men's season the following evening in Dehradun. With Tejasvi Jaiswal, Mayank Mishra and four women's icon players on show, UPL 2026 is the state's biggest cricketing showcase yet.
Key Takeaways
UPL 2026 runs from 21 September to 1 October 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Raipur, Dehradun .
Women's competition opens on 21 September with a double-header: Pithoragarh Hurricanes vs Dehradun Warriors (11 AM) and Bageshwar Aerial vs Mussoorie Queens (3 PM).
Men's opener: Haridwar Elmas vs Nainital Tigers on 22 September at 7:30 PM .
Tejasvi Jaiswal represents Tehri Titans ; Mayank Mishra is the icon player for Pithoragarh Hurricanes .
Men's Eliminator on 30 September ; Final on 1 October .
Women's Final on 24 September .
Players' Draft was completed on 16 September , including Under-23, Under-19 and uncapped cricketers.
The third edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) 2026 is set to launch with the women's competition on 21 September, followed by the men's opener on 22 September, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Raipur, Dehradun. The full tournament runs until 1 October 2026, bringing together the leading men's and women's T20 sides from across Uttarakhand.
Women's Competition Kicks Off on September 21
The women's leg of UPL 2026 will set the stage with a double-header on 21 September. Pithoragarh Hurricanes take on Dehradun Warriors at 11:00 AM, with Bageshwar Aerial facing Mussoorie Queens in the afternoon fixture at 3:00 PM. The four-team women's competition will be led by icon players Nandini Kashyap (Mussoorie Queens), Prema Rawat (Bageshwar Aerial), Raghavi Bisht (Pithoragarh Hurricanes) and Sweta Verma (Dehradun Warriors). The women's Final is scheduled for 24 September.
Men's Opener: Haridwar Elmas vs Nainital Tigers
Haridwar Elmas and Nainital Tigers lock horns in the men's tournament opener on 22 September at 7:30 PM. On 23 September, Pithoragarh Hurricanes face Tehri Titans, with Mayank Mishra headlining Pithoragarh Hurricanes as their icon player and Tejasvi Jaiswal leading Tehri Titans. The league phase will feature double-header men's fixtures across subsequent days before the Eliminator on 30 September and the UPL 2026 Final on 1 October.
Seven Men's Teams, Draft Completed
The seven-team men's competition comprises Pithoragarh Hurricanes, USN Indians, Nainital Tigers, Rishikesh River Kings, Haridwar Elmas, Tehri Titans and Dehradun Warriors. Squads were assembled through a Players' Draft held on 16 September, drawing on established players, icon players, Under-23 and Under-19 cricketers and uncapped talent.
What the Organisers Said
Sunil Joshi, chairperson of the Uttarakhand Premier League, said: 'The announcement of the UPL 2026 schedule marks an exciting stage as we get ready for the third edition of the league. With the women's competition opening the tournament on September 21 and the men's action beginning the following day, we are looking forward to a competitive season featuring players from across Uttarakhand. We hope the league provides an engaging platform for both established and emerging cricketers and gives fans an exciting month of T20 cricket.'
Key Dates at a Glance
All matches are staged at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Raipur, Dehradun. The tournament timeline runs from 21 September to 1 October 2026, with the women's Final on 24 September and the men's decider closing out the event on 1 October. With a mix of regional stalwarts and young uncapped cricketers, UPL 2026 is positioned as a key development window ahead of domestic selection cycles.
Point of View
But the real test is whether the pipeline produces talent that reaches the IPL or India A level. With squads including Under-19 and uncapped cricketers, the UPL is quietly functioning as a scouting ecosystem that the national selectors and franchise teams have reason to watch.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does UPL 2026 start and where is it being played?
UPL 2026 begins on 21 September 2026 with the women's double-header and runs until 1 October at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Raipur, Dehradun. All matches of both the men's and women's competitions are staged at the same venue.
Which teams are playing in the UPL 2026 men's competition?
The seven men's teams are Pithoragarh Hurricanes, USN Indians, Nainital Tigers, Rishikesh River Kings, Haridwar Elmas, Tehri Titans and Dehradun Warriors. Their squads were assembled through a Players' Draft held on 16 September 2026.
Who are the icon players in UPL 2026?
Tejasvi Jaiswal is the icon player for Tehri Titans and Mayank Mishra headlines Pithoragarh Hurricanes in the men's draw. In the women's competition, the icon players are Nandini Kashyap (Mussoorie Queens), Prema Rawat (Bageshwar Aerial), Raghavi Bisht (Pithoragarh Hurricanes) and Sweta Verma (Dehradun Warriors).
When is the UPL 2026 Final?
The men's UPL 2026 Final is scheduled for 1 October 2026, preceded by the Eliminator on 30 September. The women's Final will be played on 24 September, concluding the women's leg of the tournament.
What is the format of the women's competition in UPL 2026?
The women's competition features four teams — Mussoorie Queens, Bageshwar Aerial, Pithoragarh Hurricanes and Dehradun Warriors — each led by a named icon player. The women's leg runs from 21 to 24 September, with the Final on 24 September.
