Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Schedule, Teams, Format and Live Updates
The inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 brings 23 national teams to Ahmedabad for nine days of competition, from 23 to 31 October. Thirteen men’s teams and 10 women’s teams will compete at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, chasing the first Commonwealth kabaddi titles in both categories.
The championship gives kabaddi a dedicated international stage beyond its traditional South Asian strongholds. For several participating nations, the tournament is among the biggest opportunities yet to test their squads against a broad field of Commonwealth opposition. India enters as host and a leading name in the sport, but the expanded line-up promises fresh match-ups and a chance for emerging teams to make their mark.
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Key Details
Dates: 23–31 October 2026
Venue: Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Men’s competition: 13 teams
Women’s competition: 10 teams
Semi-finals: 30 October
Gold medal matches: 31 October
Live coverage: Star Sports and JioHotstar
The event is a standalone championship for Commonwealth nations, not part of the Commonwealth Games programme. That distinction matters: this tournament gives kabaddi its own spotlight, with separate men’s and women’s competitions and two inaugural gold medals at stake.
How the Tournament Works
Both competitions begin with a group stage. Teams play every other side in their group once, with the strongest performers advancing to the semi-finals on 30 October. The semi-final winners will meet in the finals on 31 October, when the first Commonwealth kabaddi champions are crowned.
The men’s draw is divided into two groups, although they are not equal in size. Group A has seven teams, while Group B has six. That difference makes the standings especially important: teams have a different number of group matches, so every result and the competition’s qualification rules will be closely followed as the table develops.
The women’s competition has two groups of five. Each team plays four group matches, leaving limited room to recover from a slow start. A strong opening could prove valuable, while close contests may make points difference and defensive performance important as qualification approaches.
Men’s Groups and Schedule
Group A: India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Tanzania and Sri Lanka.
Group B: Bangladesh, Kenya, Canada, Australia, Scotland and Singapore.
The men’s tournament opens on 23 October, with Kenya taking on Singapore at 11:00 a.m. IST. India’s first match is against England at 8:30 p.m. The group-stage fixtures continue through 29 October, featuring several demanding tests for the hosts, including meetings with Uganda, Malaysia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Sri Lanka.
Other notable match-ups include Australia against Scotland on opening day, Bangladesh versus Canada on 24 October, and Kenya against Australia on 29 October. The semi-finals are scheduled for 30 October, followed by the men’s final at 9:00 p.m. on 31 October.
Women’s Groups and Schedule
Group A: India, Nigeria, Singapore, Uganda and Malaysia.
Group B: Bangladesh, Kenya, England, Sri Lanka and Scotland.
The women’s competition begins on 23 October, when Singapore meets Uganda at 3:30 p.m. IST. India starts its campaign against Malaysia at 6:45 p.m. The hosts then face Singapore, Uganda, Nigeria and other Group A opponents across the opening stage.
Group B also offers a varied schedule, with Bangladesh, Kenya, England, Sri Lanka and Scotland competing for places in the knockout rounds. The women’s semi-finals take place on 30 October, and the final is set for 7:30 p.m. the following day.
All listed match times are Indian Standard Time. Organisers and broadcasters may provide updates during the event, so fans should check the latest schedule and results before each match.
India’s Squads and Players to Watch
India’s men will be captained by Surjeet Singh, with Naveen Kumar serving as vice-captain. The 14-player squad includes established names such as Pankaj Mohite, Sachin Tanwar, Nitesh Kumar, Neeraj Narwal and Parvesh Bhainswal. The coaching staff comprises J. Udaya Kumar, Manjeet Chhillar and Rohit Kumar.
The women’s team is led by Nidhi Sharma, with Ritu Mitharwal as vice-captain. Its 14 players include Jyothi, Muskan Sharma, Renuka Choudhary, Simran Kamboj and Sakshi. Coaches Kavitha Selvaraj, Jayshree Swain and Priyanka Pilania will guide the squad through the group stage and, if India qualifies, the knockout rounds.
India’s home advantage and depth will make both teams central to the championship conversation. Still, a short tournament can produce surprises: a disciplined defence, quick raids and the ability to manage pressure can shift a match in only a few minutes.
A Wider International Stage for Kabaddi
The field reflects kabaddi’s growing reach. Alongside India and other Asian teams, the men’s tournament features Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as Australia, Canada, England and Scotland. The women’s line-up also brings together teams from across Africa, Asia and Europe.
That diversity gives the championship value beyond the medals. It creates opportunities for players to gain international experience, for national programmes to measure their progress and for supporters to discover new rivalries. The competition may also help build interest in kabaddi among audiences who have had fewer chances to watch the sport at this level.
Where to Watch and Follow Live Scores
Matches will be shown live on Star Sports and streamed on JioHotstar. Matches scheduled before 6:00 p.m. IST will be available only on JioHotstar, while matches after 6:00 p.m. are listed for both platforms.
Live results, completed match scores and updated points tables will be added throughout the championship. With 23 teams, two competitions and nine days of action, Ahmedabad is set to provide a landmark week for international kabaddi. Follow the schedule from the opening raid to the finals as the inaugural Commonwealth champions emerge on 31 October.
