Archery Premier League Season 2 Heads to Hyderabad, World’s Best Archers Set to Compete in October

Hyderabad is set to host one of the biggest archery events in the world as the second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) takes place at People's Plaza, Necklace Road, from October 8 to 18, 2026.

Backed by the Archery Association of India (AAI) and supported by the Government of Telangana, the 11-day tournament will bring together many of the world's leading archers, including Olympic champions, world champions, former world No. 1 athletes and some of India's biggest stars.

After a successful inaugural edition in New Delhi last year, the league now moves to Hyderabad with greater expectations and a stronger international profile.

With six franchise teams, 48 elite archers and a unique competition format, APL Season 2 promises to be one of the most significant events on the global archery calendar.

The competition is expected to showcase some of the biggest names in Indian archery. Among the leading attractions will be four-time Olympian and former World No. 1 Deepika Kumari, one of India's most decorated archers. Joining her will be four-time Olympian Atanu Das, 2023 Compound World Champion Ojas Deotale, compound stars Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Abhishek Verma, as well as Olympian Ankita Bhakat.

The league will also feature a strong contingent of international athletes, continuing APL's objective of bringing world-class competition to India. Season 1 attracted several global stars, including Olympic champion Mete Gazoz and compound world champion Ella Gibson, setting a high benchmark for future editions.

Organisers expect a similarly impressive international lineup for the Hyderabad edition.

The Archery Premier League was launched in 2025 with a long-term vision beyond entertainment. The league was conceived as a high-performance platform aimed at helping Indian archers gain exposure to elite-level competition on a regular basis. With India continuing its search for an elusive Olympic medal in archery, the league is viewed as an important step in strengthening the country's competitive ecosystem.

By allowing Indian athletes to compete alongside Olympic champions and world-class performers in a pressure-filled environment, the APL seeks to bridge the gap between domestic and international competition.

The initiative has also received support from both World Archery and World Archery Asia, further underlining its growing significance.

One of the defining features of the Archery Premier League is its innovative competition format. APL remains the world's only franchise-based archery league and introduces several elements designed to make the sport more engaging for athletes and spectators alike. For the first time, recurve and compound archers, both men and women, compete together within the same team structure.

The league also employs a distinctive 15-second shot clock, significantly shorter than the 20-second limit used in Olympic and World Archery events. The reduced time limit places greater emphasis on decision-making, composure and execution under pressure, creating a faster-paced and more intense competition environment.

This innovation has become one of the league's biggest talking points since its launch.

Six Franchises Battle for the Crown

Season 2 will feature six franchises representing historic Indian dynasties and regions:

• Mighty Marathas

• Rajputana Royals

• Prithviraaj Yodhas

• Kakatiya Knights

• Chero Archers

• Chola Chiefs

Each team will consist of eight archers, creating a total player pool of 48 Indian and international competitors. The tournament will follow a double round-robin format, ensuring every team faces each opponent twice during the league phase. At the conclusion of the league stage, the top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals before competing for the championship on October 18.

Rajputana Royals enter the season as defending champions after winning the inaugural edition in New Delhi.

Hyderabad Chosen as the Next Host City

APL Director Anil Kamineni highlighted Hyderabad's sporting culture as a key reason behind the decision to bring the event to Telangana. The city has hosted several major sporting events over the years and possesses the infrastructure and fan base required to support a competition of this scale. The iconic People's Plaza at Necklace Road is expected to provide a unique backdrop for the event, combining elite sport with one of Hyderabad's most recognisable public venues.

Organisers believe the venue can help attract both dedicated archery followers and casual sports fans.

According to AAI Secretary General and APL Director Virendra Sachdeva, the league was created with a broader objective of elevating Indian archery while simultaneously reshaping how the sport is presented worldwide. The franchise model, international participation and spectator-friendly format have already differentiated APL from traditional archery competitions.

As the league enters its second season, its ambitions continue to expand. With Olympic champions, world-class talent and India's top archers set to compete over 11 days in Hyderabad, Season 2 of the Archery Premier League could represent another significant step in the evolution of archery as a professional spectator sport.

Further announcements regarding team squads, player signings, match schedules and broadcast partners are expected in the coming weeks as preparations intensify for one of the most anticipated events in Indian archery.