The fifth edition of the Andhra Premier League (APL) is all set to kick off on Tuesday with Simhadri Lions and Kakinada Kings to play the season opener in the Visakhapatnam’s Dr. YSR ACA VDCA cricket stadium.The flagship T20 cricket tournament organised by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) will be held in three cities, Visakhapatnam, Mangalagiri and Kadapa, with seven teams in the fray for the title – Bhimavaram Bulls, Royals of Rayalaseema, Vijayawada Sunshiners, Amaravathi Royals, Simhadri Lions, Kakinada Kings and Thungabhadra Warriors.The ACA announced that spectators can attend the APL matches for free of cost.Visakhapatnam stadium will host 11 matches until June 14, before the tournament moving to Kadapa, with fixtures scheduled from June 17 and later concluding the league phase in Mangalagiri, where the matches will begin from June 24. While day matches are slated to begin at 1.30 p.m., day-night fixtures will start at 7.30 p.m.The tournament will be played in a round-robin format, with each team facing every other team before the knockout stages.Prepped wellPreparations for the league have been under way for several weeks, with participating teams holding training camps and practice sessions at various venues, including Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Mangalagiri and Kadapa.Ahead of the tournament’s launch, the APL Operations Team on Sunday conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Visakhapatnam stadium. Officials reviewed the condition of the playing surface, outfield, spectator stands, sanitation facilities, player dressing rooms and other amenities to ensure a smooth experience for players and fans alike.ACA Chief Operating Officer Girish Dongre expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, stating that all necessary preparations had been completed and the venue was fully ready to host the tournament. Published - June 07, 2026 08:08 pm IST