Upcoming 73rd Senior National Kabaddi Championship Set for January 2027

Schedule for the 73rd Senior National Kabaddi Championship

The 73rd Senior National Kabaddi Championship is scheduled to take place from January 7 to 10, 2027, at the Sir M Vishveshvaraiah Stadium located in Mandya, Karnataka. This prestigious domestic event will showcase teams from various States and Union Territories across India, alongside prominent institutional teams. Approximately 30 teams, featuring over 400 athletes, are anticipated to compete in this four-day tournament.

Tournament Structure and Details

This championship is organized by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) and represents the 73rd iteration of the men's National Kabaddi Championship. Matches will be conducted on mats, with each team permitted to have a roster of up to 14 players.

Defending Champions and Tournament Format

Indian Railways will defend their title after winning the previous edition of the Senior National Kabaddi Championship held in Vadodara, Gujarat. In that tournament, which took place from February 24 to 27, they triumphed over Maharashtra with a score of 49-31 in the final.

Following the format established in the last championship, teams will be organized into several pools, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the knockout rounds after the group stage.

Fostering Future Talent

The Senior National Kabaddi Championship has become a vital platform for developing young talent, with many players progressing to the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Notable players such as two-time PKL Most Valuable Player Naveen Kumar, Ashu Malik, Aslam Inamdar, and Sumit Sangwan have participated in past editions of this championship.

The last championship also featured Sunil Kumar, recognized as the most successful captain in PKL history, who played a crucial role in leading Indian Railways to victory. Numerous athletes from India's gold medal-winning teams at the 2026 Asian Games and the recent Commonwealth Kabaddi Championships have also emerged from the Senior National Kabaddi Championship.