Overview
- The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League will begin on December 27, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates, a move first reported on Friday and confirmed by the board.
- The competition will use a five-franchise model representing Kabul, Kandahar, Balkh, Paktia and Nangarhar and will be staged in the UAE to use existing venues and broadcast infrastructure.
- The ACB invited investors and commercial partners to submit franchise ownership proposals by June 30, 2026, framing the five slots as limited early-stage investment opportunities.
- Organizers have not yet confirmed franchise owners, player lists, match fixtures, venue assignments, or broadcast deals, so operational details for the December tournament remain pending.
- The league is pitched as a development pathway to keep Afghan talent together and reach domestic and diaspora fans, and it could boost the country’s cricket infrastructure while tapping demand for more global T20 content.