Andhra Premier League: History, Teams, Winners, Format and 2026 Season

Abhirah Goel

The Andhra Premier League (APL) has become an important domestic T20 competition for cricketers from Andhra Pradesh. Organised by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), the tournament provides emerging players with an opportunity to compete in a franchise-based environment and showcase their talent on a bigger stage. Launched in 2022, the APL has completed five editions, with a different champion emerging in each season.

The Andhra Premier League was introduced in 2022 as a platform to bridge the gap between district-level cricket and higher-level domestic cricket. The inaugural season featured six teams, with Coastal Riders becoming the first champions after defeating Bezawada Tigers in the final.

The league continued to develop over the following seasons. Rayalaseema Kings won the 2023 edition, followed by Vizag Warriors in 2024 and Tungabhadra Warriors in 2025. Bhimavaram Bulls then became the fifth different team to win the competition by lifting the 2026 title.

The APL has expanded to seven franchises in its current format. The teams competing in the 2026 season were:

These franchises represent different regions of Andhra Pradesh and combine experienced domestic cricketers with promising local talent.

The APL has produced a new champion in every completed season so far:

This spread of champions highlights the competitive nature of the tournament.

The fifth edition of the Andhra Premier League was played in 2026, with seven teams competing for the trophy. The official ACA information lists matches across the ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, YS Raja Reddy Stadium in Kadapa and ACA International Cricket Stadium in Mangalagiri.

Bhimavaram Bulls finished the season as champions after defeating Capital Amaravati Royals by 10 wickets in the final at Mangalagiri. The result gave the Bulls their first APL title and continued the tournament's pattern of producing a new champion each season.

The APL follows a T20 franchise format designed to provide a compact and competitive tournament. Seven teams participate, with league-stage matches followed by a four-match playoff phase involving the top teams.

The competition uses player retention and auction mechanisms, allowing franchises to build squads around established domestic players and emerging cricketers. This structure also gives young players from Andhra Pradesh valuable exposure in a competitive environment.

 has become an important pathway for regional cricket talent. By bringing together experienced domestic players and emerging cricketers, the tournament provides a platform for players to develop their skills and attract wider attention.

With five seasons now completed, the APL continues to strengthen Andhra Pradesh's T20 cricket ecosystem while giving fans across the state a dedicated franchise competition to follow.

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