Thirteen nations are expected to compete in the men’s and women’s events from 23 to 31 October, with the tournament bringing fresh attention to kabaddi ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad will host the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 from 23 to 31 October at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, with more than 400 athletes expected to compete in the men’s and women’s events. The tournament will bring together teams from 13 nations for a competition that could help strengthen kabaddi’s case for a place in future Commonwealth Games programmes.

Organised by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), with approval from the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), the championship is scheduled to feature 23 squads and 62 matches. The programme includes 39 men’s matches and 23 women’s matches, with the first champions in both categories to be crowned on 31 October. The semi-finals are scheduled for 30 October.

The participating nations named for the event are India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Scotland and Australia. Their presence will bring together teams from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and Oceania, giving the competition a wider geographical reach than a tournament involving only South Asian teams.

At a press conference in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, organisers announced the Indian teams’ captains and vice-captains, along with the official jersey, anthem, logo and mascot. Surjeet Singh will captain the Indian men’s team, with Naveen Kumar as vice-captain. Nidhi Sharma will lead the women’s team, supported by vice-captain Ritu.

India enters the competition with a long record in kabaddi, a sport that grew from traditional forms of play in the Indian subcontinent. Its modern form relies on speed, balance, strength and quick decisions. Players take turns raiding the opposing side to score points, while defenders try to stop them and send them back without allowing a successful raid. A match can change quickly, making fitness and teamwork important throughout the contest.

Kabaddi has already gained a place in major international competitions. The sport featured at the Asian Games, while the Indian government stated in Parliament in August 2005 that kabaddi was not included in the Commonwealth Games programme planned for India in 2010. The new championship therefore comes against a long-standing effort to give the sport greater recognition outside its traditional strongholds.

The International Kabaddi Federation is responsible for promoting and governing the sport at the international level, including setting rules for competitions. The AKFI oversees kabaddi in India and plays a central role in organising national-level competitions and preparing Indian teams for international events.

For the sport to gain a place in a future Commonwealth Games, international participation and support from the relevant sporting bodies will matter. A successful tournament could help organisers demonstrate that kabaddi can attract teams from different regions and operate within a major multi-nation sporting event. However, hosting a championship alone does not guarantee its inclusion in the Commonwealth Games programme.

Ahmedabad’s role as host gives the tournament added importance. The city is due to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, making its ability to manage international sporting events a matter of interest for athletes, officials and spectators. The kabaddi championship will give visitors and participating teams an opportunity to experience the city’s sporting facilities before that event.

The Veer Savarkar Sports Complex will serve as the venue for nine days of competition under the theme “One Breath. One Raid. One Commonwealth.” The tournament will also test how well organisers can manage multiple teams, match schedules and spectator services during an international event.

Speaking at Wednesday’s 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.”

The women’s competition will be an important part of the event, with teams competing for a separate title. Its 23-match schedule gives women’s kabaddi a place alongside the men’s tournament and provides participating players with an international stage. The results will offer a measure of how the competing teams perform against one another under championship conditions.

For spectators, access to the matches will be free, according to the organisers. Tickets are due to be available online through Thumpn. JioHotstar will stream the championship live, while Star Sports will provide television coverage, allowing viewers outside Ahmedabad to follow the competition.

The event’s opening days will give teams a chance to establish their position before the knockout stage. The semi-finals on 30 October will decide which sides advance to the finals the following day. The men’s and women’s finals on 31 October will determine the first winners of the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship.

For Indian players, the tournament offers an opportunity to compete against teams from several sporting backgrounds. For visiting nations, it provides a chance to gain experience in a sport in which India has a long-established record. The level of competition and the interest generated among viewers will help show how widely kabaddi can attract players and fans beyond its traditional base.

The championship also gives Ahmedabad an additional international sporting event ahead of 2030. Its longer-term value will depend on the quality of the matches, the participation of national teams in future editions and the sport’s progress within international sporting bodies. The first champions will be decided on 31 October, when the competition concludes at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex.

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