Uttarakhand Premier League 3rd edition begins Monday with women's double-header
Synopsis
The Uttarakhand Premier League enters its third edition with a fresh twist: women's cricket takes centre stage first, with a double-header on Monday before the seven-team men's competition begins on 22 September. With icon players, a Bollywood-backed opening ceremony, and 11 days of T20 action at Dehradun's Rajiv Gandhi stadium, the UPL is steadily building into the state's biggest cricket event.
Key Takeaways
The Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) third edition begins on Monday, 20 September 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun .
The women's double-header opens the tournament: Pithoragarh Hurricanes vs Dehradun Warriors (morning) and Bageshwar Aerial vs Mussoorie Queens (afternoon).
The grand opening ceremony features Bollywood actor Vaani Kapoor and regional artistes from Garhwal, Kumaon, Jaunpur, and Jaunsar .
The women's final is on 24 September ; the men's competition starts 22 September with the final on 1 October .
The four-team women's event and seven-team men's tournament run across an 11-day schedule.
Icon players include Nandini Kashyap, Prema Rawat, Raghavi Bisht , and Sweta Verma in the women's draw.
The third edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) gets underway at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun on Monday, 22 September 2026, with the women's competition leading off an 11-day tournament before the men's event commences on 22 September. The league, now in its third year, continues to position itself as a key developmental platform for cricket in the state.
Opening Day: Women's Double-Header Kicks Off
The opening day features two women's matches at the stadium. The morning fixture pits Pithoragarh Hurricanes against Dehradun Warriors, followed by an afternoon clash between Bageshwar Aerial and Mussoorie Queens. The cricketing action will be succeeded by a grand opening ceremony in the evening, headlined by Bollywood actor Vaani Kapoor alongside prominent regional musical artistes from Garhwal, Kumaon, Jaunpur, and Jaunsar.
Women's Tournament: Teams and Icon Players
The four-team women's competition features Mussoorie Queens, Bageshwar Aerial, Pithoragarh Hurricanes, and Dehradun Warriors. Each side has a designated icon player: 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 Competition: Seven Teams, Final on October 1
The men's draw features seven teams — Haridwar Elmas, Nainital Tigers, Pithoragarh Hurricanes, USN Indians, Rishikesh River Kings, Tehri Titans, and Dehradun Warriors. The men's opening match on 22 September sees Haridwar Elmas take on Nainital Tigers. The men's Eliminator is set for 30 September, with the final scheduled on 1 October.
What Organisers and Officials Said
Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) secretary Kiran Verma called the UPL 'an important platform for cricket in Uttarakhand,' adding that the opening ceremony would 'bring cricket together with the state's talented artistes, making it a celebration that reflects the spirit of Uttarakhand.'
Former BCCI vice-president Mahim Verma noted that 'the UPL has created an opportunity for Uttarakhand's cricketers to compete in a structured T20 environment and gain valuable exposure,' while also highlighting the cultural significance of the opening ceremony. UPL Chairperson Sunil Joshi expressed confidence in a competitive season, saying the 'mix of experienced players and young talent should make for competitive cricket' across both competitions.
Growing Significance for Uttarakhand Cricket
The UPL has steadily grown as a structured T20 competition for domestic talent in a state that has historically struggled to gain visibility on the national cricketing map. This edition's inclusion of a separate women's competition — and its prominent placement ahead of the men's event — signals a broader push to develop women's cricket in the region. The tournament's cultural integration with local artiste performances also reflects an effort to deepen community engagement beyond the sport itself.
Point of View
And regional T20 leagues have a patchy record outside the IPL ecosystem. The cultural integration of Garhwali and Kumaoni artistes is smart community-building, but sustained growth will depend on whether the league can retain quality talent and generate enough local interest to attract serious investment in subsequent editions.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Uttarakhand Premier League 2026 third edition start?
The third edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League begins on Monday, 20 September 2026, with women's matches at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun. The men's competition starts on 22 September.
Which teams are playing in the UPL women's competition?
The four teams in the UPL women's tournament are Mussoorie Queens, Bageshwar Aerial, Pithoragarh Hurricanes, and Dehradun Warriors. Their respective icon players are Nandini Kashyap, Prema Rawat, Raghavi Bisht, and Sweta Verma.
Which teams are playing in the UPL men's competition?
Seven teams feature in the men's draw: Haridwar Elmas, Nainital Tigers, Pithoragarh Hurricanes, USN Indians, Rishikesh River Kings, Tehri Titans, and Dehradun Warriors. The men's opener on 22 September is between Haridwar Elmas and Nainital Tigers.
What is the schedule for the UPL 2026 finals?
The women's final is scheduled for 24 September 2026. The men's Eliminator follows on 30 September, with the men's final on 1 October 2026.
Who is performing at the UPL 2026 opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony on 20 September features Bollywood actor Vaani Kapoor alongside regional musical artistes representing Garhwal, Kumaon, Jaunpur, and Jaunsar. It will be held in the evening after the women's double-header.
