In a major development for kabaddi fans across the globe, the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) has officially announced the new dates and venue for the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025. The much-anticipated second edition of the tournament will now be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 15th to 25th November 2025.
This announcement comes as a historic shift, as it will be the first-ever Kabaddi World Cup—men’s or women’s—to be hosted outside India. Until now, all previous editions had been held within Indian borders, making this a landmark decision for the sport’s growing international appeal.
Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025: A Historic Moment for Kabaddi
The Women’s Kabaddi World Cup is returning after a long gap, with fans eagerly awaiting the tournament’s comeback. India, the defending champions, will once again be a strong contender for the title. The inaugural edition of the tournament was held in 2012 in Patna, Bihar, where the Indian women’s team defeated Iran 25-19 in the final.
Now, 13 years later, the stage is set in Dhaka, where 14 nations will compete over 10 action-packed days. Participating countries include India, Iran, Chinese Taipei, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Uganda, Kenya, Hungary, Thailand, Nepal, Germany, and Argentina. With such a diverse lineup, this edition promises to be a truly global celebration of women’s kabaddi.
A Journey Through Multiple Changes
Interestingly, the journey to finalize the 2025 Women’s Kabaddi World Cup venue wasn’t a straightforward one. Initially, the tournament was scheduled to take place in Rajgir, Bihar from 1st to 10th June 2025. Bihar, having hosted the first edition in 2012, seemed like a fitting host once again. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the state withdrew from its hosting responsibilities.
Subsequently, the IKF shifted the venue to Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad, with new dates set from 3rd to 10th August 2025. But in a surprising twist, the venue was once again changed—this time to Dhaka, Bangladesh.
This decision has been warmly received in Bangladesh, where the sport has a solid fan base. The country already hosts the annual Bangabandhu Kabaddi Tournament, which draws significant local interest. With this new hosting opportunity, Bangladesh gets a chance to showcase its passion for kabaddi on a global stage.
India’s Dominance and Strong Hopes
The Indian women’s kabaddi team enters the tournament as favourites, with a track record that speaks volumes. Apart from winning the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 2012, the Indian team has been consistently dominant on the international stage.
Most recently, the team clinched the title at the 2025 Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship held in Tehran, Iran, by defeating the host nation 32-25 in the final. India has also bagged three gold medals and one silver in women’s kabaddi at the Asian Games so far, underlining its long-standing supremacy in the sport.
Previous Edition: A Quick Recap
The first edition of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup took place in 2012 at Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna. A total of 16 teams participated in that tournament, with 31 matches played over just four days. The competition followed a group stage (round-robin format) followed by knockouts.
India won the final against Iran, while Japan and Thailand finished as joint third after their semi-final exits. Although the tournament format for the 2025 edition is yet to be confirmed, fans are expecting a more extensive and structured schedule this time around.
Looking Ahead to a Bigger, Global Kabaddi Stage
Hosting the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 in Dhaka is a major step forward for the sport. It marks kabaddi’s shift from a mostly subcontinental focus to a broader global stage. With teams from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia participating, this edition will bring international attention to the sport like never before.
For nations like Argentina, Germany, Netherlands, Uganda, and Poland, this is a golden opportunity to establish themselves in the kabaddi world. And for India, it’s a chance to defend its crown and showcase its dominance in women’s kabaddi once again.
As the countdown to November 2025 begins, excitement is building not just in Bangladesh but among kabaddi fans all around the world. The Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 promises thrilling action, fierce competition, and a celebration of talent, teamwork, and sporting spirit. And while the tournament may not be happening in India this time, the Indian team’s journey and performance will surely be followed with great anticipation back home.
