Kanpur: The fourth edition of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League (UPT20 Season 4) will be staged across two cities for the first time, with Lucknow and Kanpur sharing hosting duties for the 2026 tournament. The decision was approved during the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) Governing Council meeting, marking a significant step towards expanding the league’s reach across the state.
The tournament will run from August 14 to September 6, 2026, spanning 24 days and featuring 34 matches. The schedule includes 13 double-header days and eight single-header match days, promising an action-packed season for cricket enthusiasts.
Addressing the media after the Governing Council meeting, UP T20 League Chairman Sanjay Kapoor announced the key decisions in the presence of UPCA Secretary Prem Manohar Gupta, Governing Council member Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Treasurer Sachin Shukla, and Media Manager Ahmad Ali Khan ‘Talib’.
Lucknow’s Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium will host the opening phase of the competition, staging 22 matches across 13 match days. The venue will also witness the grand opening ceremony and the tournament’s inaugural match.
The second phase will shift to the historic Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, where 12 matches across 11 match days will be played. Kanpur will also host the championship final and the closing ceremony.
Preparations for the league will begin with the mini-auction on July 24 in Agra, where the six participating franchises will compete to fill 45 available player slots. The Governing Council has approved the retention policy, player selection process, catchment area trials, and auction regulations to ensure transparency and fairness. The catchment area model, designed to provide opportunities to talented cricketers from districts across Uttar Pradesh, will continue this season.
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina will continue as the league’s brand ambassador, while the official anthem, “Khiladi Yahan Banta Hai”, will remain the signature theme of the tournament.
To further motivate teams and players, the UPCA has announced a total prize pool of ₹3 crore. The champions will receive ₹1 crore, while the runners-up will be awarded ₹60 lakh. Additional cash rewards will also be presented to outstanding teams and individual performers.
The league will also promote environmental sustainability through a unique campaign titled “Har Boundary, Ek Nai Hariyali” (Every Boundary, A New Greenery). Under the initiative, a tree will be planted across various districts of Uttar Pradesh for every boundary and six struck during the tournament. The campaign aims to combine the excitement of cricket with environmental conservation while encouraging young fans to participate in building a greener future.
With an expanded footprint, enhanced competition, significant prize money and a strong sustainability initiative, UPT20 Season 4 is set to become the league’s biggest edition to date, strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s growing stature on India’s domestic cricket landscape.
