Afghanistan Premier League 2026: Schedule, Teams, Venue and All Details

The Afghanistan Premier League (APL) is back. After an eight-year gap, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has revived its franchise T20 league, and the new season will begin on December 27, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates. Five teams, a double round-robin format, big Afghan stars and overseas players — here is everything we know so far about APL 2026, including its schedule window, teams, draft and history.

Afghanistan Premier League 2026: Key Details

Tournament	Afghanistan Premier League (APL) 2026
Organiser	Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB)
Format	T20, franchise-based
Start date	December 27, 2026
Host country	United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Number of teams	Five
Tournament format	Double round-robin, followed by playoffs and final
Total matches	24
Player draft	Scheduled for November 3, 2026, in Dubai

APL 2026 Schedule: What Is Confirmed So Far

The one date that is locked in is the start: December 27, 2026, in the UAE. The ACB has confirmed the league will feature five teams playing a double round-robin, followed by the playoffs and the final, for a total of 24 matches. The full match-by-match fixture list and the venues within the UAE have not been officially announced yet — organisers have said those details will be finalised as the December start approaches. This article will be updated as soon as the complete APL 2026 schedule is released.

The player draft was scheduled for November 3, 2026, at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel, with around 1,500 players reportedly registered, including several international cricketers. Once squads are confirmed, the team-by-team picture for the season will become clear.

APL 2026 Teams: Five Regions, Three Franchises Confirmed

The five teams represent Afghanistan’s major cricketing regions: Kabul, Kandahar, Balkh, Paktia and Nangarhar. Three franchise owners were unveiled at a ceremony in Dubai on August 26, 2026:

• Akcel United Kabul — representing the capital city
• Balkh Zwanan — representing Balkh
• Kandahar Warriors — representing Kandahar

The remaining two franchise slots, for Nangarhar and Paktia, were still being finalised at the last update, with five parties — including investors from India and other markets — competing for them. The ACB has said the league remains firmly on track for its December 27 start and has dismissed talk of a postponement.

The league also unveiled its new trophy, the Koh-E-Zafar, at the Dubai ceremony, and the ACB has spoken of a long-term plan for the competition, with reports of a 10-year roadmap behind the revival.

APL History: The 2018 Season and Why It Stopped

The Afghanistan Premier League was first played in October 2018, also in the UAE, with five franchises: Balkh Legends, Kabul Zwanan, Kandahar Knights, Nangarhar Leopards and Paktia Panthers. That season attracted genuine global stars, including Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum and Shahid Afridi.

Balkh Legends, led by Mohammad Nabi, won the inaugural title by beating Rashid Khan’s Kabul Zwanan in the final, and Rashid was named Player of the Tournament. But the league never returned for a second season. The ACB later scrapped its sanction and commercial rights agreement with Snixer Sports over the non-payment of full rights fees, and concerns around the league’s governance and integrity also surfaced. The 2026 revival is therefore being positioned as a fresh start, with a new operating partner — Cricket Venture, a joint venture between Trans Group and ITW Universe — and stronger financial safeguards.

Players to Watch in APL 2026

Afghanistan’s biggest names are expected to headline the league. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are the players fans will look for first when squads are announced, alongside the overseas professionals picked in the draft. For emerging Afghan talent, the APL is a major platform: a home franchise league with international exposure, something Afghanistan’s players have largely had to find abroad in leagues like the IPL and the Big Bash.

APL vs Shpageeza Cricket League: What Is the Difference?

Do not confuse the APL with Afghanistan’s existing domestic T20 tournament, the Shpageeza Cricket League. The Shpageeza league continues separately and is played every year in the July-August window, also with five domestic teams. The APL is the ACB’s new franchise league with private team owners and overseas players; the Shpageeza league is the domestic competition that has kept Afghan T20 cricket running during the APL’s eight-year absence.

For context on Afghanistan’s current form, read our AFG vs ZIM 3rd T20I result, where Afghanistan bowled Zimbabwe out for 79 to complete a 3-0 whitewash, and the AFG vs ZIM 3rd T20I prediction that previewed the Sharjah finale.

Afghanistan Premier League 2026 FAQs

When does APL 2026 start?

December 27, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates.

How many teams play in APL 2026?

Five teams, representing Kabul, Kandahar, Balkh, Paktia and Nangarhar, in a double round-robin format followed by playoffs and a final — 24 matches in total.

Which franchises are confirmed for APL 2026?

Akcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors were unveiled on August 26, 2026. The remaining two franchise owners were still being finalised.

Why did the original Afghanistan Premier League stop after 2018?

The 2018 season was the only one played. The league was shelved after payment disputes — the ACB scrapped its agreement with rights holder Snixer Sports over unpaid rights fees — and concerns around governance and integrity.

Where can I watch APL 2026?

Broadcast and streaming details for APL 2026 have not been officially announced yet. They will be confirmed closer to the December 27 start.