Noida | Kabaddi fever is set to grip Uttar Pradesh once again as the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) returns with its second season — bigger, better, and bolder.
The player auction, scheduled for November 3 in Noida, will see 10 teams bidding for a combined purse of ₹1.2 crore. Around 500 players are expected to feature in the auction pool — a clear sign of the league’s expanding scale and rising popularity.
Two New Teams Add Fresh Excitement
This season welcomes two new franchises — Aligarh Tigers and Kanpur Warriors — taking the total number of participating teams to 10. Their inclusion not only broadens the competition but also gives fresh opportunities to regional talent, especially from kabaddi’s traditional heartlands in western and central Uttar Pradesh.
Auction Structure
Each team has been allotted a budget of ₹12 lakh to acquire players.
The players are divided into four categories — A, B, C, and D, with base prices of ₹1 lakh, ₹60,000, ₹40,000, and ₹25,000 respectively.
To maintain team balance, each franchise must select:
- At least 3 players from Category A
- 4 players each from Categories B and C
- And 3 players from Category D
This structure ensures every team has a blend of youth, experience, and tactical variety.
Season Kick-Off on December 25
The second edition of the UPKL is proposed to kick off on December 25, 2025, featuring a total of 64 matches.
Games will be played across different cities in Uttar Pradesh, giving local fans the chance to cheer for their home teams from the stands.
“Apna Bharat, Apna Khel” — A New Spirit, A New Energy
The season’s tagline — “Apna Bharat, Apna Khel — Mera Pradesh Khel Raha Hai” (Our India, Our Game — My State is Playing) — perfectly captures the league’s philosophy.
UPKL aims to go beyond being just a sporting event; it seeks to revive kabaddi culture in Uttar Pradesh and bridge the rural-urban sports divide by bringing local talent to the national spotlight.
Organizers’ Vision
According to UPKL organizers, Season 2 will match professional leagues not only in game quality but also in management and broadcast standards.
The auction in Noida will also feature experienced coaches, strategic advisors, and fitness experts.
Several major media companies are reportedly eyeing the league’s broadcast and digital rights, signaling a new era for regional kabaddi.
Kabaddi, a sport deeply rooted in Indian tradition, is reinventing itself on a modern stage.
The UPKL’s second season stands as proof that with the right intent and organization, traditional sports can once again capture the imagination of India’s youth.
