Template:Infobox sports league
Archery Premier League, abbreviated as APL, is a professional archery league based in India.[1] Organized by Archery Association of India, the governing body for the sport, it is the first franchise-based archery league in the world.[2] The first edition of the league was launched in 2025 in New Delhi.[3]
History
The first edition of Archery Premier League was held at the Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi from 2 to 12 October 2025. The league is backed by both World Archery and World Archery Asia.[4] Prithviraaj Yodhas, Kakatiya Knights, Rajputana Royals, Chero Archers, Mighty Marathas and Chola Chiefs were announced as the six teams.[5] Ram Charan was revealed to be the official brand ambassador of the league.[6]
Format
Archery Premier League features 36 Indian archers and 12 top foreign archers who will be divided into six franchises. A draft system was followed instead of an auction for the inaugural edition of the league.[7]
Each franchise comprises eight members, four men and four women.[8] Each team includes up to two foreign archers, with at least one of them required to be part of the playing four. The league has mixed team duels in recurve and compound. Round robin fixtures will see 3 matches per day, each lasting 20 minutes. The arrow shooting time has been reduced to 15 seconds from the internationally allotted 20 seconds.[9]
Teams
| Team | State | Coach |
|---|---|---|
| Chero Archers | Jharkhand | Purnima Mahato |
| Chola Chiefs | Tamil Nadu | Sonam Tshering Bhutia |
| Kakatiya Knights | Telangana | Rahul Banerjee |
| Mighty Marathas | Maharashtra | Pravin Sawant |
| Prithviraaj Yodhas | Delhi | Lokesh Chand |
| Rajputana Royals | Rajasthan | Jiwanjot Singh Teja |
Editions and results
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner up | Venue | Teams | Player Of The Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Rajputana Royals | 4–4 (2–0) | Prithviraaj Yodhas | Yamuna Sports Complex | 6 | Dhiraj Bommadevara* (RM)
Ankita Bhakat* (RW) Mike Schloesser* (CM) Ella Gibson* (CW) |
*Based on Average Arrow score after Matchday 12.
Broadcasting
- SonyLIV
- Archery+
See also
References
- ↑ Archery Association announces Indian participants for inaugural season of Archery Premier League. The Tribune. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ↑ Archery Premier League: A new franchise league in India looking to revolutionise ancient sport. Firstpost(2025-08-18). Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ↑ Deepika Kumari, Dhiraj, Abhishek Verma among top Indians named for inaugural Archery Premier League. The Hindu(2025-08-18). Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ↑ Top Indian archers to compete in inaugural Archery Premier League. Sportstar(2025-08-18). Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ↑ Archery Premier League — Franchise leagues in India turn over another leaf; top Indian archers set for contest, Ganesan, Uthra. Sportstar(2025-09-18). Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ↑ Global Icon Ram Charan to Champion Inaugural Archery Premier League as Brand Ambassador. Deccan Chronicle(2025-09-18). Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ↑ Inaugural Archery Premier League to begin on October 2. Sportstar(2025-08-27). Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ↑ India's elite archers to star in first-ever Archery Premier League. Mid-day. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ↑ 'To create Olympic warriors' – India's new Archery Premier League aims for bull's eye. The Indian Express(2025-08-12). Retrieved 2025-09-06.