UPKL Season 2 Winner 2026: Kabaddi has always been close to the heart of Indian sports lovers, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh where this traditional sport is played at the grassroots level. Over the last few years, kabaddi has transformed from a local sport into a professional league-based competition, and Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is a perfect example of this growth.
The excitement around UPKL Season 2 was massive, and fans were eagerly waiting to know who would lift the trophy this time. With more teams, more matches, and tougher competition, Season 2 turned out to be bigger, better, and more thrilling than the inaugural season.
In this article, we will deeply explore UPKL Season 2 winner, runner-up, final match highlights, league expansion, broadcasting details, and a comparison with Season 1, all explained in a simple Indian conversational style.
When Did UPKL Season 2 Start and End?
The second season of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League officially began on 24 December 2025. The league continued for almost 17 days, filled with back-to-back action-packed kabaddi matches. The tournament came to an exciting conclusion on 10 January 2026.
All matches of UPKL Season 2 were played at a single venue — Noida Indoor Stadium, which became the hub of kabaddi fans during this period. Every day, the stadium witnessed loud cheers, intense rivalries, and nail-biting finishes.
UPKL Season 2 Final Match: Lucknow Lions vs Kashi Kings
The final match of UPKL Season 2 was played between two of the strongest teams of the tournament — Lucknow Lions and Kashi Kings. This clash was extra special because Lucknow Lions were the defending champions, having won the first season of UPKL.
From the very first raid, the final match showed why these two teams deserved to be in the final. Both sides played aggressive kabaddi, combining smart raiding with solid defensive strategies. The pressure was high, and every point mattered.
PKL Season 2 Final Result: Defending Champions Lose the Title!
In the end, Kashi Kings defeated Lucknow Lions with a scoreline of 38–32 and created history by becoming the UPKL Season 2 champions. The defending champions tried hard but could not stop the momentum of Kashi Kings, who played with confidence and discipline throughout the match.
UPKL Season 2 Winner and Runner-Up Details
After a highly competitive season, the final results of UPKL Season 2 were:
- Winner: Kashi Kings
- Runner-Up: Lucknow Lions
- Season: Second (2025-26)
- Final Date: 10 January 2026
- Venue: Noida Indoor Stadium
This victory marked the first UPKL title for Kashi Kings, making it a proud moment for the team and its supporters.
Why Lucknow Lions Could Not Defend Their Title?
Lucknow Lions entered UPKL Season 2 as the strongest and most experienced team. They had already proved their dominance by winning the inaugural season. However, kabaddi is a game where form, fitness, and strategy play a huge role.
This season, other teams studied Lucknow’s gameplay carefully. Kashi Kings, in particular, showed excellent planning, strong defense, and calm decision-making in crucial moments. Despite reaching the final again, Lucknow Lions could not repeat their championship performance, but finishing as runner-up still proves their consistency in the league.
UPKL Season 2 Became Bigger and More Competitive
One of the biggest highlights of UPKL Season 2 was the expansion of the league. Unlike the first season, which featured only 8 teams, the second season included 12 teams, making the competition much tougher.
A total of 64 matches were played during the season, giving fans non-stop entertainment. The league also introduced four new franchise teams, which brought fresh energy and new fan bases into the tournament.
The newly added teams were:
- Aligarh Tigers
- Purvanchal Panthers
- Gazab Ghaziabad
- Kanpur Warriors
These teams performed well and added unpredictability to the league, proving that UPKL is growing rapidly and giving opportunities to many young kabaddi players from Uttar Pradesh.
Live Telecast and Digital Streaming of UPKL Season 2
UPKL Season 2 reached a much wider audience due to strong television and digital coverage. All matches were live telecast on Anmol Cinema 2 and Pictures HD, allowing kabaddi fans to enjoy the action from their homes.
For viewers who prefer online streaming, matches were also available on the Zee5 app and website. Fans who missed live games could watch match highlights on Zee Bollywood, ensuring that nobody missed the excitement.
This multi-platform coverage helped UPKL gain more popularity, especially among younger audiences.
UPKL Season 1 Recap: Lucknow Lions’ Historic Win
The journey of UPKL started with its first season, held from 11 July to 25 July 2024 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. That season featured 8 teams, and it laid the foundation for what UPKL has become today.
In the Season 1 final, Lucknow Lions defeated Sangam Challengers with a massive score of 59–32, becoming the first-ever UPKL champions. The final match was attended by Union Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary, which added prestige to the event.
Teams that participated in the first season included Kashi Kings, Awadh Ramdoots, Braj Stars, Ayodhya Warriors, Ganga Kings of Mirzapur, and others. That season helped identify local talent and brought kabaddi into the professional spotlight in Uttar Pradesh.
Future of UPKL and Kabaddi in Uttar Pradesh
The success of UPKL Season 2 clearly shows that the league is moving in the right direction. With increased teams, better organization, and strong fan support, UPKL has the potential to become one of the most important state-level kabaddi leagues in India.
Kashi Kings’ championship win has created a new rivalry, and fans are already excited to see how teams will prepare for the next season. UPKL is not just entertaining; it is also creating a platform for young players to dream big and move towards national-level kabaddi.
Final Words
UPKL Season 2 was a perfect mix of excitement, competition, and growth. The emergence of Kashi Kings as champions, the strong performance of Lucknow Lions, and the introduction of new teams have taken the league to a new level.
As kabaddi continues to grow in Uttar Pradesh, UPKL is becoming more than just a tournament — it is turning into a celebration of local talent, teamwork, and sporting spirit. Fans can now look forward to even bigger and better seasons in the future.
