Global Pravasi Kabaddi League Opens Franchise Ownership Applications Amid Rising Interest

GPKL Launches Franchise Ownership Process

Delhi [India], May 5: The Global Pravasi Kabaddi League (GPKL), under the ownership of the Holistic International Pravasi Sports Association (HIPSA), has initiated a formal Expression of Interest (EOI) process for potential franchise ownership, driven by significant interest from various investors.

With a limited number of six franchise slots, the league has established a structured evaluation and selection process to identify suitable long-term partners for its upcoming Season 2, as detailed in a recent announcement.

The league is entering a competitive phase for franchise allocation, highlighting the increasing investor confidence in kabaddi as a structured and scalable sports asset.

Interest has surged from a wide array of stakeholders, including corporate entities, high net-worth individuals (HNIs), family offices, celebrities, and strategic investors. This diverse participation indicates a growing recognition of kabaddi as a commercially viable sport with substantial long-term growth potential.

In contrast to open-entry sporting formats, GPKL has opted for a restricted franchise model, with only six teams designated across specific regional identities.

The official EOI document outlines the proposed franchise regions, which include Punjab, Haryana, the Bhojpuri region, Tamil Nadu, the Telugu region, and Maharashtra.

Each franchise will offer dual-team ownership (men's and women's teams), exclusive territorial rights, and a founding franchise status.

With demand already surpassing the available slots, the process is set to transition into a competitive evaluation and allocation phase.

GPKL aims to represent the next step in the evolution of professional kabaddi, building on the achievements of domestic leagues while introducing a global participation framework.

The league will feature international players from various continents, supported by a Pravasi-led participation model. The long-term vision includes expanding kabaddi's reach to 75 countries for men and 45 countries for women.

The franchise allocation will follow a structured approach, including EOI submissions, applicant shortlisting, and detailed discussions and evaluations.

Due to the strong interest, only a select group of applicants will advance to the next stage.

Kanthi D Suresh, President of HIPSA, commented on the response, stating, “The interest in GPKL signifies a notable shift in the perception of kabaddi—from a traditional sport to a global sporting opportunity. Our goal has always been to expand kabaddi beyond borders, and the current level of interest confirms that this transition is underway.”

A senior representative from Cornerstone Sport & Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the league's commercial advisory partner, remarked, “We are witnessing strong interest from serious investors across various sectors. With only six franchises available, the process is naturally becoming competitive. Our aim is to partner with those who possess both financial strength and a long-term commitment to the league.”

Industry trends suggest that early participants in professional sports leagues often experience significant value creation as the ecosystem develops.

The structure of GPKL is designed to foster regional brand development, long-term commercial scalability, and multi-dimensional sports assets through dual-team ownership.

The league has officially released its EOI, inviting applications from corporates, HNIs, family offices, and celebrities.

Given the limited number of franchises and the strong early demand, interested parties are encouraged to submit their applications within the specified timeline.