Afghanistan Premier League 2026 Full Fixtures, Teams list and Venue details
Afghanistan Premier League (APL) 2026 Schedule - The Afghanistan Premier League 2026 also know as (APL 2026 or APLT20) is Season 1 of Afghanistan Premier League will be held from Expected in 27 December 2026 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
It is a Twenty20 cricket league organized by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
The plan was to increase the number of teams from five in the first edition of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament.
But, now Afghanistan Cricket (ACB) has confirmed that they will stick with the five teams that contested the first season of the tournament.
Afghanistan Premier League (APL) 2026 Details
- Dates: 27 December 2026
- Administrator(s): Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB)
- Cricket format: Twenty20
- Tournament format(s): Double Round-robin and playoffs
- Host(s): United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Official website: Afghanistan Premier League
APL 2026 Teams List
On 26 August, the APL announced the first three franchise names, Axcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors.
| Team | City | Debut | Captain | Head coach | Owner(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axcel United Kabul | Kabul | 2026 | - | - | - |
| Balkh Zwanan | Balkh | 2026 | - | - | - |
| Kandahar Warriors | Kandahar | 2026 | - | - | - |
| Paktia | Paktia | 2026 | - | - | - |
| Nangarhar | Nangarhar | 2026 | - | - | - |
Afghanistan Premier League 2026 Players Auction:
The Player Draft will be held on 27 September 2026.
APL 2026 Key details
| APL 2026 Milestones | Date / Details |
|---|---|
| Franchise Bid Deadline | June 30, 2026 |
| Bid Winners Announced | July 7, 2026 |
| Proposed Tournament Window | Final Quarter (Q4) 2026 |
| Host Nation | United Arab Emirates (UAE) |
| Total Teams competing | 5 Teams |
Afghanistan Premier League (APL) 2026 Schedule / Fixtures and Match Time Table
Afghanistan Premier League (APL) season 2026 schedule is not announced yet
Player Selection:
A player draft or auction is anticipated around June or July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When is the APL making a comeback?
Ans: The league is finally returning in Nov-Dec 2026. After a long gap since 2018, it’s now planned as a regular annual event.
Q2.Where will the games be held?
Ans: The tournament will take place in the UAE. It’s the perfect "neutral ground" with great facilities for both players and fans.
Q3. How many teams are there?
Ans: There will be 5 franchises representing major Afghan cities like Kabul and Kandahar. Final team names will be confirmed closer to the start.
Q4. When is the player draft?
Ans: The draft (or auction) to pick teams is expected to happen around June or July 2026.
Q5. What is the tournament format?
Ans: It will follow a double round-robin format (each team plays the other twice), followed by playoffs and a big final.
Q6. Who is organising the league?
Ans: The ACB has signed a 10-year deal with "Cricket Venture" (a joint venture of Trans Group and ITW Universe) to ensure the league is stable and successful this time around.
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