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KATHMANDU — The third edition of the Everest Women’s Volleyball League (EWVL)—Nepal's premier and South Asia’s first historic franchise women's volleyball league—is all set to take place in late September this year.

The tournament organiser, Infinity Dreams, released a press statement on Monday announcing that the high-stakes league will run from September 24 to October 3 (Ashoj 8 to 17) at the National Sports Council (NSC) Covered Hall in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu.

The dates were finalised following intensive discussions with participating franchise teams and key volleyball stakeholders, the organisers noted.

Festive Entertainment and Growing Craze

With the craze for women’s volleyball reaching unprecedented heights in Nepal, the organisers are confident that the league, scheduled just ahead of the Dashain festival, will provide top-tier sports entertainment to fans during the festive season.

As Asia's pioneering women's franchise volleyball tournament, the EWVL is viewed as a monumental catalyst for the growth of women's sports in the region. Following the massive success of the previous two editions, the organisers have promised a grander, more refined, and expansive tournament this year.

Tournament History at a Glance

• Edition 1: Held in Kathmandu; won by Karnali Yashvis.

• Edition 2: Commenced in Pokhara, but due to technical difficulties, the remaining matches and the final were shifted to Kathmandu; won by Karnali Yashvis.

• Defending Champions: Karnali Yashvis will be eyeing a hat-trick of titles this season.

• Participating Teams: The second edition featured six powerhouse franchises: Karnali Yashvis, Lalitpur Queens, Kathmandu Spikers, Madhesh United, Lumbini Lava, and Pokhara Ninja.

Bigger and Better: Technical Director Jagadish Bhatta

Speaking on the upcoming edition, EWVL Technical Director Jagadish Bhatta emphasised that the third season will reach new heights due to Nepal’s soaring international status.

"The third edition of the Everest Women’s Volleyball League will be grander and more competitive than last year. Nepal’s women’s volleyball team is now included in the FIVB World Rankings, has broken into the top ten in Asia, and has qualified for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan," Bhatta said.

"This time, the entire league will take place in Kathmandu. Beyond the sporting glory, it provides a strong financial boost for our athletes, which will ultimately play a massive role in developing women’s volleyball in Nepal."

The Venue

The organisers selected the NSC Covered Hall in Tripureshwor as the sole venue for this edition following its recent upgrades. The facility has successfully hosted high-profile international tournaments like the CAVA Women’s Volleyball League, making it fully equipped to host a franchise league of EWVL's scale.