13 nations, 400+ athletes and 62 matches to headline nine days of international competition; Indian team captains announced
Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad is gearing up to welcome the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026, scheduled to be held from October 23 to 31 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex. The nine-day tournament will bring together 13 nations, more than 400 athletes and 23 squads for an international contest featuring both men’s and women’s kabaddi.
Organised by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), with the approval of the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), the championship will feature 62 matches, comprising 39 men’s matches and 23 women’s matches. The tournament will mark a historic milestone for the sport, with the first-ever Commonwealth champions set to be crowned in both categories.
The championship was formally unveiled at a curtain-raiser press conference on Wednesday, where organisers revealed the official jersey, team captains, anthem, logo and mascot, setting the stage for the inaugural edition.
India’s men’s team will be led by Surjeet Singh, with Naveen Kumar appointed vice-captain. Nidhi Sharma will captain the women’s team, supported by vice-captain Ritu. The Indian contingent will look to make a strong impression on home soil as the country welcomes competing teams from across the Commonwealth.
The 13 participating nations are India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Scotland and Australia, reflecting the championship’s growing international footprint. The competition will move towards its decisive stage with the semifinals in both categories scheduled for October 30, followed by the finals on October 31. The format promises an intense contest as participating nations compete for the inaugural titles.
A New Chapter in Kabaddi’s International Journey
The championship is expected to provide fresh momentum to kabaddi’s international expansion and strengthen efforts to establish the sport on a wider global platform, including its potential inclusion in the Commonwealth Games.
For Ahmedabad, the tournament carries added significance as the city prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. Hosting an international championship of this scale offers an opportunity to demonstrate its sporting infrastructure, event-management capabilities and readiness to welcome athletes and spectators from across the world.
Speaking at the press conference, Jitendra Pran Singh Thakur, General Secretary of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India, said, “It is a proud moment for Indian kabaddi to host the first Commonwealth Championship in Ahmedabad. We look forward to welcoming the participating teams and showcasing the spirit, skill and competitive intensity of the sport on an international stage.”
Tejasvi Gehlot, General Secretary of the International Kabaddi Federation, said, “The inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship marks an important step in expanding kabaddi’s international presence. Bringing national teams from across the Commonwealth together will give athletes a new platform to showcase their abilities and introduce the sport to a wider global audience.”
Live Broadcast and Spectator Information
Under the theme “One Breath. One Raid. One Commonwealth,” the championship aims to celebrate kabaddi’s intensity, teamwork and competitive spirit while connecting participating nations through sport.
Fans will be able to watch the matches live on JioHotstar, with television coverage on Star Sports. Spectators wishing to attend the matches in person at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex can access free tickets online through Thumpn. With nine days of competition, international participation and a historic first edition at stake, the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 is poised to place Ahmedabad at the centre of an important moment in kabaddi’s global journey.
