UTTARAKHAND PREMIER LEAGUE (UPL) returns on 23 September, promising not just cricket but also a packed line-up of live entertainment featuring some of India’s most popular performers.
The opening night will see international actress-singer Elnaaz Norouzi set the stage alight, alongside Garhwali mash-up vocalists Ruhaan Bhardwaj and Karishma Shah, the traditional Jaunsari folk energy of Ajju Tomar and Ajay Chauhan, and a high-energy dance show from Sana Sultan. With a live band backing them, the evening will bring a riot of sound, colour, and rhythm to Dehradun.
On 26 September, after the women’s final, singer Neeti Mohan will headline the UPL Cricket Carnival, blending Bollywood glamour with sporting spirit. Entry to the event will be free for fans who register via the District by Zomato app.
The season will conclude on 5 October with a finale headlined by hip-hop artist Badshah, who will perform at the closing ceremony as UPL crowns its men’s champions.
More performers, including unique home-grown acts, will be unveiled in the coming days as UPL curates a programme that celebrates both the culture of Uttarakhand and the excitement of cricket.
Earlier this week, the league also launched ‘UPL Ki Aawaaz’, a talent hunt to discover aspiring sports presenters aged 18–45 from across the state. Participants can submit a 30–60 second video entry for the chance to audition live, with winners joining the official UPL broadcast team on television and OTT.
Cricket Association of Uttarakhand secretary Kiran Rautela Verma said, “Uttarakhand Premier League is a platform that celebrates Uttarakhand’s sporting and artistic excellence. This season, by bringing together India’s leading stars and inspiring local performers, we continue to make UPL the state’s most vibrant celebration. We are delighted to see the keenness that even global artists have shown to come and perform in Uttarakhand while supporting high quality cricket. With the women’s tournament getting underway this Tuesday, we are looking forward to crowds gathering in large numbers to motivate our players on the field.”
Sspark Sports and Entertainment founder Rajeev Khanna added, “UPL is the stage where the dreams of Uttarakhand’s youth and artists meet the excitement of world-class cricket—making every moment and performance truly unforgettable. We are in the process of finalising one of the best artists line-ups in any sports competitions in the country led by globally recognised performers like Badshah and Neeti Mohan. It is also an opportunity for us to provide a platform to not just the state’s cricketers but also the artists and performers from Uttarakhand who have been doing well.”
