APL 2026 Auction on April 26; 558 Players in Fray, Higher Team Purse Announced
The Governing Council of the Andhra Premier League (APL) 2026 has announced that the auction for the upcoming season will be held on April 26 in the city.
In a statement issued on Friday, APL Governing Council Chairman Sujay Krishna Rangarao said as many as 558 players have registered for the auction. The 2026 edition will feature seven franchises — Simhadri Vizag Lions, Kakinada Kings, Capital Amaravati Royals, Vijayawada Sunshiners, Bhimavaram Bulls, Tungabhadra Warriors, and Royals of Rayalaseema. The auction purse for each team has been increased from ₹45 lakh to ₹55 lakh.
Ahead of the season, franchises have collectively retained 33 players. The auction will be conducted by noted auctioneer and host Navneeth Krishna, Mr. Rangarao added.
He further noted that the youngest player in the auction pool is K. Thaman, born in January 2011, highlighting the league’s growing focus on nurturing emerging talent from Andhra Pradesh.
Mr. Rangarao said APL 2026 reflects the league’s continued commitment to strengthening the cricketing ecosystem in the state. He expressed confidence that the season would deliver competitive cricket while offering a stronger platform for young players to showcase their skills.
He also announced that, unlike previous editions, matches this season will be held across three venues — Visakhapatnam, Mangalagiri, and Kadapa.