KATHMANDU: The 15th Khumbu Lhosar Cup Football Tournament, a flagship sporting event of the Sherpa community, is set to return from February 7–15 at the ANFA Football Ground, Satdobato, marking the celebration of Gyalpo Lhosar, the Sherpa New Year.

Organised by the Mahendra Jyoti Ex-Student (Alumni) Forum, the tournament is regarded as the largest and most prestigious football competition within the Sherpa community. First launched in 2009, the Khumbu Lhosar Cup was initiated to encourage Kathmandu-based Sherpa youths to utilise the winter off-season productively while celebrating Lhosar through sport.

Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu, Forum President Phur Gelje Sherpa, who also serves as President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, said the tournament has grown beyond a football competition into a unifying cultural platform. He stated that the primary objectives of the event are to promote football among Sherpa youths, provide a competitive environment to showcase talent, and strengthen social cohesion among communities of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, Solukhumbu.

“This football tournament aims to promote both sports and tourism in Nepal,” Sherpa said, noting that football’s rising global popularity offers strong potential to link sporting events with tourism promotion. He added that the organisers are working to make the Khumbu Lhosar Cup a sustainable and long-term initiative capable of contributing to Nepal’s sports and tourism sectors simultaneously.

The 15th edition, which had been postponed in previous years due to various reasons, marks the tournament’s return after it could not be organised in 2025. While earlier editions were held at Sanogauchan Ground, this year’s matches will take place at the ANFA Complex, with participating teams already having begun training.

A total of eight teams will compete in the tournament: Mahendra Jyoti Ex-Student Forum (hosts), Namche Youth Group, Khumjung Youth Club, Khunde Community Club, Thamichhova Football Club (Thame), Ama Dablam Youth Group (Pangboche), Khumbu Yambu Sherpa Samaj, and Khumbu United. The teams will be divided into two groups, with matches played under a league-cum-knockout format.

According to Forum Vice-President Phuri Sherpa, the tournament also carries competitive incentives. The champion team will receive Rs 150,000, while the runner-up and third-placed teams will be awarded Rs 80,000 and Rs 40,000, respectively. Individual performers will also be recognised with cash prizes and gift hampers.

Forum President Sherpa emphasised that the Khumbu Lhosar Cup has consistently played a key role in uniting communities within Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality through football. Celebrated alongside the Lhosar festival, the tournament has evolved into a shared sporting and cultural festival that brings together youths, elders and the wider community.

He further noted that the Khumbu region has been advancing the Khumbu Lhosar Cup as a meaningful campaign to promote tourism through sports, adding that future editions aim to be more systematic and higher in standard.

The Khumbu Lhosar Cup 2026 is being supported by 14 Peaks Expedition Pvt Ltd as the title sponsor, with Heli Everest Pvt Ltd and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality as co-sponsors, alongside several other supporting partners.