Commonwealth Kabaddi C'ship 2026: India open vs England, Malaysia as 13 nations vie for inaugural crown
Synopsis
For the first time in its history, kabaddi has a Commonwealth Championship — and it is being staged in Ahmedabad, the same city set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. With 13 nations, 23 squads and 62 matches on the card, this is less a tournament and more a global audition for a sport that has long deserved the main stage.
Key Takeaways
The inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship opens on 22 October 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad .
13 nations and 23 squads will contest 62 matches (39 men's, 23 women's) from 23–31 October .
India men, led by Surjeet Singh , open against England ; India women, captained by Nidhi Sharma , face Malaysia .
Finals are on 31 October — women's at 7:30 PM , men's at 9:00 PM .
The championship is organised by the AKFI and doubles as a pre-event test run ahead of the Ahmedabad Commonwealth Games 2030 .
India's men and women teams launch their bid for the first-ever Commonwealth kabaddi title on Friday, 22 October, as the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship gets underway at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. The men face England first, while the women open against Malaysia in what promises to be a landmark week for the sport on the global stage.
Tournament Format and Schedule
Running from 23 to 31 October, the championship features 23 squads from 13 nations competing across 62 matches — 39 men's and 23 women's. The opening contest is Kenya vs Singapore in Men's Group B at 11:00 AM. The 13 men's teams are split into a seven-team Group A (India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Tanzania, Sri Lanka) and a six-team Group B (Bangladesh, Kenya, Canada, Australia, Scotland, Singapore).
The 10 women's teams are divided into two groups of five: India, Singapore, Nigeria, Uganda and Malaysia in Group A, and Bangladesh, Kenya, England, Scotland and Sri Lanka in Group B. Each team plays every other side in its group once, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals. Group A winners face Group B runners-up and vice versa in the last four.
The semifinals are on Friday, 30 October — women at 6:00 PM and 6:45 PM, men at 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM. The finals follow on Saturday, 31 October, with the women's final at 7:30 PM and the men's final at 9:00 PM, held under the tournament theme 'One Breath. One Raid. One Commonwealth.'
India Men's Squad and Fixtures
Captain Surjeet Singh and vice-captain Naveen Kumar lead a 14-man squad that includes Yogesh Dahiya, Shubham Shinde, Deepak Sankar, Nitesh Kumar, Parvesh Bhainswal, Ajit Pawar, Sachin Tanwar, Pankaj Mohite, Bharat Hooda, Shivam Patare, Neeraj Narwal and Aditya Shinde. After the England opener, India face Uganda (24 October), Malaysia (25 October), Nigeria (26 October), Tanzania (27 October) and Sri Lanka (29 October), all at 8:30 PM.
India Women's Squad and Fixtures
Captain Nidhi Sharma and vice-captain Ritu head a 14-strong women's squad comprising Muskan Sharma, Sabhai Gadhavi, Priya, Champa Thakur, Riya Kumari, Suman Sahu, Jyothi, Ritu Mitharwal, Renuka Choudhary, Simran Kamboj, Anu Sen, Sakshi and Karthika Ramesh. Following the Malaysia opener, the women face Singapore (24 October), Uganda (25 October) and Nigeria (26 October), all at 6:45 PM. Their group stage concludes on 28 October.
Bigger Picture: Ahmedabad 2030 and Kabaddi's Global Ambitions
Organised by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) with the approval of the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), this championship carries significance well beyond the medals on offer. Notably, Ahmedabad is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, making this event an important rehearsal for the city's infrastructure, officiating standards and international visibility. The championship gives kabaddi a tangible foothold in the Commonwealth sporting calendar for the first time, potentially paving the way for the sport's inclusion in 2030. With India historically dominant in the discipline, the hosts will be heavy favourites — but the presence of 13 nations signals growing grassroots spread across Africa, Oceania and the British Isles.
Point of View
A chance to stress-test venues, logistics and broadcast readiness. Kabaddi's ambition to be a headline sport in 2030 depends on how convincingly this week goes. India will almost certainly dominate on the mat, but the sport's global credibility will be measured by whether nations from Africa, Oceania and Europe are competitive — not just present. A lopsided tournament would actually undermine the case for full Commonwealth Games inclusion.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026?
It is the first-ever Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship, held from 23 to 31 October 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. The tournament features 13 nations, 23 squads and 62 matches across men's and women's categories, organised by the AKFI with IKF approval.
Who are India's captains at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship?
Surjeet Singh captains the India men's team, with Naveen Kumar as vice-captain. The India women's team is led by Nidhi Sharma, with Ritu as her deputy. Both squads are 14-strong.
What is India's fixture schedule at the championship?
India men face England on 22 October, then Uganda, Malaysia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Sri Lanka through to 29 October, all at 8:30 PM. India women face Malaysia on 22 October, then Singapore, Uganda and Nigeria through to 26 October at 6:45 PM, with the women's group stage ending on 28 October.
When are the semifinals and finals?
The semifinals are on 30 October — women at 6:00 PM and 6:45 PM, men at 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM. The finals are on 31 October, with the women's final at 7:30 PM and the men's final at 9:00 PM.
Why is this championship significant beyond the medals?
Ahmedabad is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, and this championship serves as a major test event for the city's venues and infrastructure. A successful tournament could strengthen kabaddi's case for inclusion as a full Commonwealth Games discipline in 2030.
