Kabaddi champions league to debut on Zee and DD Sports

NEW Delhi: Kabaddi is about to get louder, broader and far more accessible. The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) will make its grand television debut later this month, beaming the sport’s raw intensity into homes across India and overseas through Zee and DD Sports.

The inaugural season will run from January 25 to February 7, 2026, with matches airing daily at 6.30 pm IST, firmly planted in prime time. The league will be broadcast across more than seven television channels and multiple OTT platforms, signalling an aggressive play to take kabaddi from dusty rural akharas to living rooms in metros and small towns alike.

Zee and DD Sports have been signed on as official broadcast partners, giving KCL one of the widest distribution footprints ever for a debut kabaddi league. Hindi commentary will air on Zee Anmol, Zee Bollywood & Pictures and DD Sports, while regional feeds will include Marathi on Zee Yuva and Punjabi on Zee Punjabi. English-language global coverage will be available on YuppTV, reaching viewers in over 60 countries.

Digital audiences are firmly in focus too. All matches will stream live on ZEE5 and Wave OTT, ensuring the league is accessible across screens, geographies and time zones.

What sets KCL apart is its unapologetic vernacular-first strategy. By broadcasting in multiple Indian languages, the league is betting on cultural intimacy over generic scale—speaking directly to Bharat, not just urban India, and showcasing kabaddi in its most authentic, localised form.

Beyond the raids and tackles, the league is positioning itself as a platform for grassroots talent, particularly from kabaddi heartlands such as Haryana. The ambition is clear: forge new heroes, deepen fan loyalty and carve out a distinct identity alongside India’s established kabaddi properties.

With prime-time slots, mass-market broadcasters and a sharp regional lens, the Kabaddi Champions League is not easing into the arena. It is charging in—head down, shoulders squared—ready to claim its space in India’s crowded sports calendar.