Archery Premier League Hyderabad Season 2 To Feature World’s Top Archers This October

Hyderabad is scheduled to host Season 2 of the Archery Premier League in October 2026. The 11-day event runs from October 8 to 18. People’s Plaza on Necklace Road is set as the venue. Organisers said six franchise teams will compete across recurve and compound events.

The Archery Association of India initiated the league and the Government of Telangana is backing it. Organisers said the second season follows the first edition in New Delhi in 2025. The Archery Premier League is presented as a franchise-based competition. It is supported by World Archery and World Archery Asia.

The tournament is planned with six teams and 48 archers in total. Organisers said each franchise fields a mixed squad of eight. Matches are set to follow a double round-robin format. The top four teams progress to the semi-finals. The final is scheduled for October 18.

The league is set to use a 15-second shot clock. Organisers said this is five seconds shorter than the 20-second limit used elsewhere. The format is designed to bring recurve and compound archers together. Men and women are set to shoot in the same competitive setting. The league is described as the only franchise archery league globally.

The franchises named for Season 2 are Mighty Marathas and Rajputana Royals. The line-up also includes Prithviraaj Yodhas and Kakatiya Knights. Chero Archers and Chola Chiefs complete the list. Organisers said the teams will compete in both recurve and compound disciplines.

Organisers said international and Indian names are expected again in Season 2. The Indian list includes former World No. 1 Deepika Kumari. It also includes Atanu Das, a four-time Olympian. The list features Ojas Deotale, the 2023 Compound World Champion Gold Medallist.

Other Indian compound archers named are Jyoti Surekha and Abhishek Verma. Olympian Ankita Bhakat is also listed. Organisers said the field will include Olympic champions and world champions. World number ones are also expected. The event is aimed at bringing top-level competition to Indian venues.

Archery Premier League organisers on Season 2 goals

Mr. Anil Kamineni, Director, APL, said, "We are delighted to bring the Archery Premier League to Hyderabad for Season 2 and are grateful to the Government of Telangana for its support in making this possible. The city has a rich sporting culture, a deep appreciation for excellence, and the energy to host an event of this scale.

"The inaugural season demonstrated not only the immense potential of archery as a spectator sport but also the value of creating a platform where Indian archers can compete alongside the world's best. As we build on that foundation, our focus remains on strengthening India's archery ecosystem, providing world-class competitive opportunities for athletes, and inspiring the next generation of talent. We are confident that Hyderabad will provide the perfect stage for a memorable second season."

Shri Virendra Sachdeva, Secretary General, AAI and Director, APL, said, "APL was conceived with a larger vision of strengthening India's pathway to Olympic success in archery. For our athletes to consistently compete for medals on the world's biggest stages, they need regular exposure to the highest standards of competition, and that is what the league seeks to provide. At the same time, APL has created a unique model for the sport globally by combining elite international participation with a franchise-based format that brings archery closer to fans. We believe the league is not only helping raise the competitive standards of Indian archery but is also contributing to the evolution of how the sport is presented and experienced worldwide."

Season 1 ended with Rajputana Royals winning the title. That season included Olympic gold medallist Mete Gazoz. Compound World Champion Ella Gibson also competed. Organisers said the event drew attention from actor and entrepreneur Ram Charan. The second season is expected to again include leading names from India and abroad.

Organisers said the Archery Premier League began in 2025 with an Olympic focus. The league was presented as a way to give Indian archers regular high-level matches. The combined recurve and compound format is central to the plan. Further updates on squads, signings, match dates, and broadcast partners are due in the coming weeks.