Simhadri Visakhapatnam Lions will lock horns with Kakinada Kings in the inaugural match of the Andhra Premier League (APL) Season 5 at the Dr YSR ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday evening.
The official opening ceremony will take place on Tuesday at 6 pm. Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu will attend as the chief guest. Cultural performances will feature noted singer Sunitha, adding a celebratory note to the launch.
The APL is set to begin with an expanded, multi-city format and enhanced facilities aimed at promoting cricket talent across Andhra Pradesh.
APL governing council chairman Sujaya Krishna Rangarao on Monday expressed gratitude for the support received during the previous seasons and requested the same level of cooperation for Season 5. He said this edition will be different from past seasons and designed to bring greater benefits to Andhra cricket and its players.
Visakhapatnam fully prepared for hosting APL fixtures from June 9, says Girish Dongre
Season 5 will be held across three venues. The first leg of matches will be held in Visakhapatnam from June 9 to 14. The second leg will be in Kadapa from June 17 to 21 and the final leg will be held in Mangalagiri from June 24 to 30.
The tournament organizer said there were several innovations in this season’s planning and announced investments to upgrade player accommodations and stadium facilities. Significant funds have been allocated to improve stadium infrastructure and the Kadapa stadium is now fully equipped to host international matches, while the ACA stadium in Mangalagiri received a renovation investment of Rs 50 crore to meet high standards.
Matches will be broadcast and staged in additional stadiums in the coming days as the league grows. Chairman Rangarao highlighted APL’s role as an important platform for rural athletes and said the league’s success will help realize the Andhra Cricket Association’s broader objectives, including elevating local players to national competitions such as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Indian Premier League.
All teams have completed registration and have been provided necessary logistical support. Several high-profile cricketers with IPL experience and notable domestic careers including players such as Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tripuran Vijay, and Paila Avinash are expected to entertain fans across this season.
