Ahmedabad will stage the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship from 23 to 31 October 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, bringing together 13 nations and more than 400 athletes across the men's and women's categories. The first-ever championship in this format will crown the sport's inaugural Commonwealth titleholders in both events.

Tournament Structure and Schedule

Organised by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) with approval from the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), the nine-day event will feature 23 squads competing across 62 matches — 39 in the men's draw and 23 in the women's draw. Semifinals in both categories are set for 30 October, with the finals scheduled for 31 October.

India's Captains and Competing Nations

Surjeet Singh will captain the Indian men's team, with Naveen Kumar named vice-captain. Nidhi Sharma will lead the women's side, with Ritu serving as vice-captain. The 13 participating nations are India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Scotland, and Australia.

What Officials Said

Jitendra Pran Singh Thakur, general secretary of the AKFI, said at the curtain-raiser press conference: '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 IKF, added: '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.'

Broader Significance for the Sport

The championship carries strategic weight beyond the medals. Kabaddi's potential inclusion in the Commonwealth Games agenda is an ongoing aspiration for Indian sports bodies, and a successful tournament could strengthen that case. Notably, Ahmedabad is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, making this event an early rehearsal for the city's international hosting credentials. The competition is being held under the theme 'One Breath. One Raid. One Commonwealth.'

What to Watch

With India fielding experienced captains in both categories and a home crowd at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, the hosts will begin as strong favourites. The performance of emerging kabaddi nations — particularly from Africa and Oceania — will be closely watched as a measure of the sport's growing global footprint. The finals on 31 October will mark a historic moment regardless of the result.