APL 2026 Set To Ignite Cricket Fever

Vijayawada: The Andhra Cricket Association has completed the arrangements for the fifth season of the Andhra Premier League (APL)-2026 to be held from June 9 to June 30 across three cities in Andhra Pradesh.

The tournament, regarded as one of the state's premier cricketing events, aims to take the game to every corner of AP while providing a major platform for emerging local talent.

Addressing the media at the ACA office in Vijayawada on Sunday, ACA president and MP, Kesineni Shivanath, said the league would mark a new chapter in the development of cricket in the state. The tournament's primary objective, he said, is to create more opportunities for young players and strengthen the state's cricketing ecosystem.

In a significant departure from previous editions, APL-2026 will be staged in three cities—Visakhapatnam, Kadapa and Mangalagiri—to promote decentralised cricket development. Seven teams will compete in the tournament, with league matches scheduled in Visakhapatnam from June 9 to 14, Kadapa from June 17 to 21 and Mangalagiri from June 24 to 30.

The semifinals and final will also be played in Mangalagiri.

The MP recalled the overwhelming response to last year's final, which attracted thousands of spectators, and said special arrangements had been made to ensure an even grander spectacle this season.

Highlighting the league's role in nurturing young talent, he said APL has emerged as a valuable platform for cricketers from both rural and urban areas. The tournament will continue to prioritise players from AP, with the goal of helping local talent progress to the national stage.

He cited the recent selection of Guntur-based cricketer Rashid to the India-A team as evidence of the state's growing cricketing strength.

To encourage greater youth participation in sports, free passes will be provided to students from government schools and colleges. Educational institutions will receive match schedules in advance to facilitate student attendance.

The ACA president also announced that matches would be conducted under international-standard conditions with modern facilities and floodlit venues. Efforts, he said, are under way to develop Mangalagiri into a major cricket hub in the state.

Beyond cricket, APL-2026 would showcase Andhra Pradesh's rich cultural heritage through traditional performances such as Tholu Bommalata, Kolatam and other folk arts, along with entertainment programmes featuring personalities from the film and music industries.

The matches would be broadcast live on Jio Star Sports, enabling cricket enthusiasts across the globe to follow the tournament. Awareness campaigns, including flash mobs in Visakhapatnam are also planned to promote the event.

Describing APL as more than just a cricket tournament, the MP said it served as a platform for youth aspirations, recognition of state talent and a strong foundation for the sporting future of Andhra Pradesh.