Noakhali Express Confirmed as Sixth Franchise in BPL 2026

Noakhali Express was officially confirmed as the sixth franchise in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The decision comes just days before the player auction, and marks a significant expansion and reshuffle ahead of the 12th edition of the BPL.

The confirmation of Noakhali Express not only brings fresh energy to the league but also represents a deeper effort by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to diversify regional representation and grow the BPL’s footprint across the country.

A New Team Enters the Arena

The BPL’s twelfth season is set to launch on 26 December 2025, with the final taking place on 24 January 2026, according to the schedule for this edition.

Noakhali Express’ entry into the league was made official late on Monday night, when Desh Travels finalised the franchise ownership deal. According to their representative, confirmation arrived by email, and the remaining formalities were expected to be wrapped up in the following day.

This is a big moment for Noakhali’s cricket fans, as the franchise will give their region a dedicated presence in the country’s marquee T20 competition for the first time.

Strategic Reshuffle in Team Ownership

Noakhali Express joins five other confirmed teams for BPL 2026:

• Rangpur Riders

• Dhaka Capitals

• Sylhet Titans

• Rajshahi Warriors

• Chittagong Royals

This season has been notable for some significant ownership changes across the board. According to earlier reports:

• Toggi Sports (Bashundhara Group) now controls Rangpur Riders

• Triangle Services has taken over Chattogram Royals

• Nabil Group owns Rajshahi Warriors

• Cricket With Sami runs Sylhet Titans

• Champion Sports / Remark Harlan operate Dhaka Capitals

These adjustments suggest the BCB is rethinking long-term stability and sustainability for the league.

Why Noakhali’s Entry Is Significant

1. Regional Representation

Cricket fans from Noakhali now have a hometown team to rally behind — something that was long hoped for by cricket lovers in the district. The presence of Noakhali Express helps decentralize the BPL and encourages talent development from coastal and southeastern Bangladesh.

2. Five-Year Franchise Vision

As reported, the BCB has moved to grant five-year franchise rights for the BPL, giving teams more security and investment horizon. Noakhali Express now has a reasonable runway to build a competitive team and infrastructure.

3. Expansion & Innovation

By approving a sixth team, the BPL is expanding carefully. Rather than a crowded eight- or ten-team league, the board seems to favor quality over quantity expanding with deliberate, stable franchises. This could improve the overall competitiveness and financial health of the tournament.

The Noakhali Bid: From “Royals” to “Express”

Earlier in 2025, a London-based company called Sayan’s Global, led by British-Bangladeshi businessman Ahmed Jamil, submitted a proposal to launch a Noakhali-based franchise named the Noakhali Royals. Jamil expressed strong regional loyalty, insisting the team must carry the Noakhali name to represent the district’s identity.

Despite that original “Royals” branding, the final name confirmed for the BPL franchise is Noakhali Express. While the exact reasoning was not publicly detailed, this rebrand could reflect a desire for broader appeal and a fresh start under new ownership with Desh Travels.

Challenges and Expectations

With new franchises come new challenges but also high hopes.

• Team Building: The newly formed Noakhali Express will need to field a competitive squad quickly, especially with the auction scheduled for 30 November 2025.

• Home Ground: While not yet confirmed, local fans are eager to know what ground Noakhali Express will call home. The presence of a local venue is key to building fan loyalty.

• Financial Viability: This team must prove its profitability. With five-year franchise rights, there’s pressure to build a sustainable business model, attract sponsors, and deliver on-field success.

• Fan Engagement: Establishing a loyal fan base in Noakhali district may take time, but cricket’s popularity offers a strong foundation.

Impact on the BPL Landscape

A More Stable League Model

With Noakhali Express officially in, the BPL appears to be aligning with more professional, long-term governance. The decision to limit growth to six well-backed franchises (rather than pushing for rapid expansion) suggests a focus on sustainability.

Increased Competition

A sixth team raises the competitive bar. It affects how player auctions play out, how franchises strategize for talent, and how playing time is distributed across teams. More competition could mean more exciting and balanced tournaments.

Growth of Domestic T20 Brand

Adding regional teams like Noakhali Express can strengthen the BPL’s brand as a league that truly represents the breadth of Bangladeshi cricket, not just metropolitan hubs. This could boost TV ratings, regional sponsorships, and grassroots development.

What Fans Are Saying

• Local Pride: For Noakhali residents and expatriates, having a local team validates their cricketing passion and identity.

• Optimism: Fans are hopeful that the new franchise will bring fresh stars, stadium infrastructure, and increased visibility to their region.

• Skeptics: Some cricket observers wonder whether Noakhali Express will struggle initially to compete with more established BPL teams both on and off the field.

BPL Brings Back Player Auction

One of the most significant changes ahead of the 2026 Bangladesh Premier League season is the return of the player auction system, a format the BPL abandoned after its first two editions due to disputes over player payments. According to a detailed report by BDCrictime, the BPL Governing Council has decided to reintroduce the auction in an effort to make team-building more transparent, competitive, and fan-engaging.

The auction format is expected to generate renewed excitement, as team owners will publicly bid for both local and international players—similar to major T20 leagues like the IPL.

New Base Prices for Players

To ensure structure and fairness, the BPL has fixed clear base prices:

• Local players: Maximum base price set at BDT 50 lakh

• Foreign players: Base price starting from USD 35,000

Teams will compete in an open bidding system, where the highest bidder secures the signing, creating a dynamic marketplace for talent acquisition. This transparent framework is designed to attract higher-quality foreign players and give local cricketers better valuation opportunities.

Conclusion

The confirmation of Noakhali Express as the sixth BPL team is a landmark moment for Bangladesh’s domestic T20 cricket. It signifies a more inclusive, regionally representative league — one that’s not just about Dhaka or Chattogram but about bringing cricket closer to every corner of the country.

With strong ownership backing and the promise of a five-year future, Noakhali Express has the potential to become a major force in the 2026 BPL season. For fans in Noakhali, it’s more than a franchise it’s a dream come true.