The third edition of the Nepal Super League (NSL) will feature seven teams, as announced by the tournament organizers Nepal Sports and Event Management (NSEM) on Thursday. Along with the teams, the organizers have also confirmed the auction date for the upcoming season.
Teams and Changes from Previous Seasons
- The first edition of NSL had seven teams competing.
- The second edition expanded to nine teams after adding three new franchises.
- However, in the third edition, the number has been reduced to seven again as Sporting Ilam FC and Birgunj United FC have opted out.
Notably, Biratnagar City FC, which played in the first edition, did not participate in the second season. Among the three new teams introduced in the second edition, only Jhapa FC will continue in the third edition, while Sporting Ilam and Birgunj United have withdrawn.
Teams Competing in NSL 2025
The seven teams confirmed for the third edition are:
✅ Kathmandu Rayzrs FC
✅ Lalitpur City FC
✅ FC Chitwan
✅ Dhangadhi FC
✅ Pokhara Thunders
✅ Butwal Lumbini FC
✅ Jhapa FC ( introduced in the second season )
Why Are Two Teams Not Participating?
According to NSEM MD Shreyansh Karki, the two teams withdrew because they lacked a clear long-term plan and did not fully align with the league’s guidelines.
“They invested for one season, but without a solid plan, it was difficult for them to continue. That’s why only seven teams will compete this time, and we decided not to add any new teams,” Karki said in an interview.
He also mentioned that the number of teams in future seasons could change based on the overall growth of Nepali football. “The number of teams will evolve over time. It could increase to eight next season, or maybe not. If Nepali football continues to develop, we could even have 10 teams in the future.”
Poor Performances in NSL 2023
Both Birgunj United FC and Sporting Ilam FC struggled in the second edition of the NSL, finishing at the bottom of the table.
- Birgunj United finished 8th, winning just 2 out of 8 matches and collecting 8 points.
- Sporting Ilam ended up at the bottom of the table (9th place), also with 8 points and two wins, but with an inferior goal difference compared to Birgunj.
Their poor performances, coupled with management issues, likely contributed to their withdrawal from the upcoming season.
NSL 2025: Important Dates
📅 Auction Date: February 22, 2025
⚽ League Start Date: March 29, 2025
With a mix of returning and existing teams, the upcoming season of the Nepal Super League promises to be competitive and exciting. Fans are eagerly waiting for the auction to see which players will be drafted into their favorite teams!
