Indian sport is set to witness a historic milestone with the launch of the Archery Premier League (APL), which announced the full schedule for its maiden season on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra.
Beginning on October 2 and running through October 12, 2025, the APL will debut at New Delhi’s Yamuna Sports Complex, ushering in a bold new era for Indian and international archery. The timing of the announcement on Dussehra a festival symbolising the victory of good over evil and deeply rooted in India’s archery traditions – adds a symbolic resonance to the league’s unveiling. The Archery Premier League seeks to merge India’s ancient association with archery and the global appeal of modern competitive sport. By blending recurve and compound formats in a franchise-based tournament, the APL aims to create an innovative spectacle that appeals to seasoned fans and new audiences alike.
Organisers describe it as more than just a tournament: it is envisioned as a cultural festival, spotlighting India’s archery legacy while showcasing world-class talent. League Director Anil Kamineni captured the sentiment behind the launch, saying, “There couldn’t be a more symbolic day than Dussehra to announce the Archery Premier League, a festival of sport and culture. The APL is more than a league; it’s a celebration of India’s archery heritage and a bold step toward our Olympic dreams.”
Six Teams, Ten Days, One Champion
The inaugural season will feature six teams, each representing a rich historical and cultural identity of India’s regions. Competing for supremacy will be:
- Prithviraj Yodhas (Delhi)
- Mighty Marathas (Maharashtra)
- Kakatiya Knights (Telangana)
- Rajputana Royals (Rajasthan)
- Chero Archers (Jharkhand)
- Chola Chiefs (Tamil Nadu)
The format is designed for high-intensity action over ten days. The league will begin with Round Robin Phase 1 from October 2 to 6, during which all six teams will face each other in evening matches at the Yamuna Sports Complex. This will be followed by Round Robin Phase 2, scheduled from October 7 to 11, where teams will battle again, ensuring that each franchise meets every opponent more than once. The top four teams from the two phases will progress to the knockout stage on October 12, featuring two semi-finals and the grand final to crown the first-ever APL champions.
This double round-robin format is intended to provide fans with repeat high-stakes matchups and archers with ample opportunity to showcase their consistency under pressure.
A World-Class Line-Up of Stars
While the APL celebrates Indian heritage, it also promises a truly global field. The league will feature a dazzling roster of athletes that includes India’s finest and some of the biggest names in world archery. Leading the home contingent will be Deepika Kumari, one of India’s most decorated recurve archers, and Jyothi Surekha Vennam, a multiple world champion in the compound category.
They will be joined by international superstars such as Mike Schloesser, the Dutch world No.1 in men’s compound archery, Andrea Becerra of Mexico, and Olympic medallists Brady Ellison (USA) and Alejandra Valencia (Mexico). The presence of such elite names ensures that the league will deliver world-class competition, giving Indian fans a rare chance to watch global champions compete alongside the country’s own heroes.
A Festival of Culture and Competition
Beyond the arrows and targets, the Archery Premier League promises to be a celebration of Indian culture. Each team’s identity reflects a chapter of India’s history from the Chola dynasty’s southern legacy to the heroic exploits of the Rajputana warriors and the valour of Prithviraj Chauhan. Organisers have indicated that matches will feature cultural performances, music, and interactive fan zones, creating a festival-like atmosphere designed to attract families and sports enthusiasts alike.
The late-evening scheduling of matches is also a strategic move to encourage greater fan engagement, both in-stadium and through live broadcasts. By blending heritage-themed entertainment with high-level sport, the APL hopes to inspire a new generation of archers and fans, much as leagues in cricket, kabaddi, and football have done for their respective sports.
The Archery Premier League arrives at a pivotal moment for Indian archery. In recent years, India has emerged as a global contender, with archers regularly winning medals at the World Championships, Asian Games, and World Cup stages. However, the sport has long lacked a professional league capable of drawing widespread attention and offering athletes sustained financial and competitive opportunities.
The APL aims to fill that gap. By providing a platform that brings together India’s best talent and global icons, it seeks to raise the sport’s profile and create pathways for young archers to dream bigger. The league’s unique combination of compound and recurve events also ensures that fans will witness the full spectrum of modern archery skills, from the power and precision of compound bows to the grace and tradition of recurve shooting.
Countdown to October 2
With just days remaining until the first arrow is released, anticipation is building across the Indian sporting landscape. The Yamuna Sports Complex, already equipped with world-class facilities, is being readied to host a spectacle that organisers hope will set new benchmarks for archery as a spectator sport.
As the teams prepare to represent their regions and the world’s best archers arrive in New Delhi, the Archery Premier League stands poised to redefine India’s relationship with this ancient yet rapidly modernising sport. From October 2 to 12, fans can expect ten days of intense competition, rich storytelling, and a celebration of archery’s enduring appeal all launched fittingly on Dussehra, a festival that has long symbolised the power of skill, precision, and triumph.
