After the massive success of its inaugural season, the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is all set to make a grand comeback with Season 2. This time, the league promises to be bigger, faster, and even more thrilling — giving kabaddi lovers across the state another chance to experience the adrenaline of live professional kabaddi right at their doorstep.
UPKL Season 2: Start Date, Venue, and Format
The second season of UPKL 2025 will kick off on Thursday, 25th December 2025, in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The high-octane league will run for nearly 17 days, featuring around 64 matches. All the matches will be hosted at the Noida Indoor Stadium, which will once again turn into the heart of kabaddi action during this festive season.
Just like professional leagues such as Pro Kabaddi League, UPKL 2025 will follow a League + Playoff format, ensuring that every match brings intense competition and excitement for the fans. The league will not only be a sporting spectacle but also a platform for Uttar Pradesh’s emerging kabaddi talent to shine on a professional stage.
Player Auction and Team Selection
Ahead of the league’s start, the UPKL 2025 Player Auction was organized on 3rd November 2025 at Sarovar Premier Hotel, Noida. The auction witnessed participation from several young and talented kabaddi players from across the state. Many fresh faces have earned their first-ever chance to play in a professional kabaddi setup, making this season even more promising.
Each franchise team will consist of 20 players:
- 14 players from the auction,
- 4 players selected directly by the team owners, and
- 3 players from the Kabaddi Federation’s approved list (mandatory selection).
This structured and transparent process ensures that the league remains competitive, fair, and open to new talent.
Bigger, Better, and More Competitive than Before
The second season of UPKL will be larger in scale and broader in reach compared to the first edition. While the inaugural season featured 8 teams, Season 2 will welcome 4 new franchises, making it a 12-team league.
Here’s the complete list of participating teams:
- Existing Teams: Awadh Ramdoot, Brij Stars, JD Noida Ninjas, Kashi Kings, Lucknow Lions, Sangam Challengers, Yamuna Yoddhas, and Ganga Kings of Mirzapur.
- New Teams added from Season 2: Aligarh Tigers, Purvanchal Panthers, Gazab Ghaziabad, and Kanpur Warriors.
With four new franchises entering the competition, the rivalry and standard of play are expected to reach new heights. Fans can expect more nail-biting matches, stronger squads, and high-energy performances throughout the season.
Stronger Fan Engagement and Digital Presence
UPKL Season 2 isn’t just about matches — it’s about creating a complete sports festival for kabaddi fans. The league aims to amplify fan engagement, introduce modern digital promotions, and enhance media coverage across platforms.
Organizers are focusing on bringing in brand partnerships, live streaming tie-ups, and interactive fan campaigns, making this season an even bigger entertainment package. The goal is clear — to not just host a tournament, but to build a platform that highlights Uttar Pradesh’s kabaddi talent on a national and global stage.
UPKL’s Official Tagline for Season 2
The league has also unveiled its official tagline for the new season —
“Apna Bharat, Apna Khel Khel Raha Hai Mera Pradesh.”
The tagline beautifully captures UPKL’s spirit — celebrating kabaddi as a sport that belongs to India’s roots, played with pride by the heartland of Uttar Pradesh.
Organizers’ Vision and Statement
Speaking about the upcoming season, Sambhav Jain, Founder and Director of SJ Uplift Kabaddi Private Limited, expressed his excitement:
“The success of Season 1 proved that the love for kabaddi is growing rapidly in Uttar Pradesh. It’s the passion of our fans, players, investors, and stakeholders that has made this possible. With Season 2, our goal is to make the league even bigger, bolder, and more inspiring.”
His words reflect the true essence of UPKL — empowering local players and building a sustainable sporting culture that uplifts the youth of Uttar Pradesh through kabaddi.
UPKL Season 1 – A Grand Success Story
The first season of UPKL, held in 2024, set new benchmarks in regional sports. According to BARC India, the inaugural edition reached over 30 million TV viewers and crossed 300 million digital impressions — a remarkable feat for a state-level league.
The league received massive appreciation, especially from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, proving that kabaddi has evolved beyond being a rural pastime to becoming a mainstream professional sport.
Star players like Arjun Deshwal, Shubham Kumar, Vinay Tewatia, Sahul Kumar, Abhishek Thakur, Mohammad Aman, Nitin Panwar, Abhijeet Malik, and Arpit Sroha became fan favourites and inspired countless young kabaddi enthusiasts across the state.
Final Words
The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 is ready to take kabaddi fever to the next level starting 25th December 2025 in Noida. With new teams, new talent, and a renewed vision, the league promises to bring together entertainment, passion, and pride — all rooted in India’s traditional sport.
So mark your calendars and get ready, because “Apna Bharat, Apna Khel Khel Raha Hai Mera Pradesh” – and this time, it’s going to be bigger, bolder, and truly unforgettable!
