Archery Premier League debuts in India with six-team franchise format

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India has made history with the launch of the Archery Premier League (APL), the first-ever franchise-based competition for the sport. Organised by the Archery Association of India, the inaugural season is set to run from October 2–12, 2025, at New Delhi’s Yamuna Sports Complex.

Nearly a decade in the making, the APL brings together 36 Indian archers and 12 international stars, including Brady Ellison, Alejandra Valencia, Mike Schloesser, Katharina Bauer, and Olympic champion Mete Gazoz. Indian stalwarts like Deepika Kumari, Atanu Das, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Ojas Pravin Deotale will also feature prominently.

Six teams — Prithviraaj Yodhas, Kakatiya Knights, Mighty Marathas, Rajputana Royals, Chero Archers, and Chola Chiefs—were formed through a draft system similar to major American sports leagues. Each franchise includes eight athletes (four men, four women), with slots for up to two overseas players, one of whom must compete in every match.

The league introduces fast-paced innovations to appeal to modern audiences. Matches, played under floodlights, will feature mixed recurve and compound formats at 70m and 50m. Each contest will last about 20 minutes, with archers given only 15 seconds per arrow—shorter than the usual 20.

Bollywood star Ram Charan has been named APL’s brand ambassador, underscoring the league’s aim to attract mainstream attention. The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with three matches scheduled per day. International broadcasting arrangements are expected to be announced soon.

By blending tradition with modern sports entertainment, the APL hopes to put archery on par with India’s thriving franchise leagues in cricket and kabaddi. Its success could create a new commercial and cultural platform for one of the world’s oldest sports.