MUMBAI: Arm-wrestling isn’t just about brute strength anymore, it’s about breaking viewership records too. Pro panja league season 2 has wrestled its way into the hearts and homes of India, smashing past its previous benchmarks with a record-shattering 250 million household reach on television and over 150 million social media views.
The gripping tournament, co-founded by Parvinn Dabass and Preeti Jhangiani of Swen Entertainment, took things up a notch this year, leaping from 185 million TV households last season to a staggering 250 million. On social media, it flexed even harder, drawing more than 100 million followers during the tournament and setting new benchmarks in live engagement, particularly on Instagram.
The turning point came on day five, when two fiery face-offs, Jaipur vs sher-e-Ludhiana and Rohtak vs Mumbai muscle, lit up the screens and fuelled a viral storm across platforms.
Regionally, the strongest viewership muscles were flexed in North India (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Jammu & Kashmir, and Chandigarh), which made up 20 per cent of the audience. The North East followed with 24 per cent, while Maharashtra and Goa contributed 16 per cent. The league also found a stronghold in metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, despite being hosted in Gwalior.
From men’s and women’s bouts to para-arm wrestling, season 2 had something for everyone. August alone saw over 100 million Instagram views and a cumulative 150 million views across all social platforms, firmly planting arm-wrestling in the mainstream sports conversation.
Co-founder of the league, Parvinn Dabass called the success a game-changer. “This incredible reach proves arm-wrestling isn’t just a niche sport anymore. Our vision was to give this traditional Indian sport a professional platform, and the response has gone beyond our wildest expectations. Now, we’re eyeing global expansion with international participants for Season 3.” Dabass added.
Preeti Jhangiani, president of the people’s arm-wrestling federation India (pafi) and co-founder, added, “The overwhelming response from fans and athletes alike shows how deeply the sport resonates across the country. We are proud to take this passion and discipline to international heights while upholding the highest standards.”
As the buzz around season 2 continues, all eyes are now on the upcoming third season, with dates and venue to be revealed soon. The league is clearly not just building champions, it’s building a global stage.