The third edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) 2026 is set to begin on 21 September 2026 and run through 1 October at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, featuring both men's and women's T20 competitions with leading cricketers from across the state. Organised under the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), the tournament has been billed as the state's flagship T20 property and is timed to coincide with the IPL auction cycle — offering players a crucial visibility window.

Teams and Format

The men's competition will feature seven franchises: Dehradun Warriors, USN Indians, Haridwar Elmas, Tehri Titans, Rishikesh River Kings, Pithoragarh Hurricanes, and Nainital Tigers. The women's draw comprises four teams — Mussoorie Queens, Bageshwar Aerial, Pithoragarh Hurricanes, and Dehradun Warriors — reflecting a growing emphasis on women's cricket at the state level.

Women's Icon Players Announced

Four women's icon players have been confirmed for UPL 2026: Prema Rawat, Raghvi Bist, Nandini Kashyap, and Sweta Verma. Their inclusion is expected to raise the competitive standard of the women's competition and provide younger players role models within a professionally structured environment.

What Officials Said

CAU Secretary Kiran Verma described the league as an important vehicle for state-level talent. 'The Uttarakhand Premier League has emerged as an important platform for showcasing the talent of our players. The success of the first two editions encourages us to make UPL 2026 even bigger and provide our men and women cricketers greater opportunities to progress to higher levels,' he said.

Former BCCI Vice-President and former CAU Secretary Mahim Verma underlined the league's strategic timing. 'Uttarakhand has immense cricketing talent, and the UPL provides players the platform and visibility they deserve. Being held ahead of the IPL auction period, the League offers players an excellent opportunity to attract attention through their performances,' he said.

UPL Chairperson Sunil Joshi added: 'The UPL is about creating opportunities for Uttarakhand's cricketers. The first two editions have demonstrated the depth of talent in the State, and UPL 2026 will provide another competitive stage for players to perform, be noticed and aim for opportunities at the highest level.'

Scale and Viewership So Far

The inaugural edition of the UPL reportedly reached more than 21 million viewers across television and digital platforms, according to the league's official platform. The second edition expanded the competitive field further, consolidating the tournament's reputation as a significant sporting property in Uttarakhand. With the third edition now set to build on that foundation, organisers are betting on wider reach and deeper talent pools.

Why It Matters

The UPL has carved out a niche as a genuine pathway tournament — not just a state-level showcase but a pre-auction audition ground for players hoping to attract IPL franchise interest. This comes amid a broader national trend of state T20 leagues gaining traction as feeder circuits for the IPL and India 'A' squads. With women's icon players now formally integrated into the structure, UPL 2026 marks a step toward parity in competitive opportunity at the state level. The tournament concludes on 1 October 2026.