The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has issued a formal advisory to all its registered cricketers, prohibiting participation in unauthorised tournaments and private matches — including tennis ball cricket leagues — without prior written approval from the association. The warning comes as the fifth edition of the Andhra Premier League (APL) gets under way, with the tournament this year marking a significant expansion to three venues across Andhra Pradesh for the first time in its history.

The Advisory: What ACA Told Players

The ACA's statement left little room for ambiguity, reminding players that unsanctioned participation constitutes a breach of professional discipline. 'All registered players are strictly prohibited from participating in any unauthorised cricket tournaments or private matches (including tennis ball cricket leagues) without obtaining prior written approval from the ACA,' the association stated.

The advisory further warned that violations 'will be treated as a violation of professional discipline and may result in strict disciplinary action.' Players were urged to ensure full compliance to protect their standing with the association.

APL 2026: Three Venues, One Vision

The fifth edition of the Andhra Premier League represents a structural departure from previous seasons, which were confined to a single venue. Speaking at a press conference at the YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Monday, APL Governing Council Chairman Sujay Krishna Rangarao framed the expansion as a statement of intent.

'The conduct of the tournament across three venues has to be seen as a reflection of the determination of the ACA to bolster the game of cricket across the state,' Rangarao said. He added that 'the idea of a league structure is to strengthen the ecosystem of Andhra Pradesh cricket and to develop young talent.'

Venue Schedule and Match Dates

Visakhapatnam will host the opening leg from 9 June to 14 June, followed by Kadapa from 17 June to 21 June, with Mangalagiri staging the final leg from 24 June to 30 June. The phased, multi-city format is a notable shift from the single-venue model that defined earlier editions of the league.

Inauguration and Long-Term Roadmap

The official opening ceremony of APL 2026 is scheduled for 6 pm and will be presided over by Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. The ACA has signalled a longer-term ambition to extend the league's footprint to more grounds across the state in the coming years, with the stated goal of building a more robust and geographically inclusive cricket structure in Andhra Pradesh.

This is the first time the APL has operated across multiple cities simultaneously, and the ACA's dual move — tightening player discipline while broadening the tournament's reach — reflects a broader effort to professionalise state-level cricket administration.