{"id":2520,"date":"2025-11-02T23:31:38","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T18:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/?p=2520"},"modified":"2025-11-02T23:31:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T18:01:39","slug":"uttar-pradesh-kabaddi-league-upkl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/uttar-pradesh-kabaddi-league-upkl\/","title":{"rendered":"Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Kabaddi \u2014 a sport that was once confined to dusty grounds and rural akharas \u2014 is now shining bright on national and international stages. Among the new wave of professional kabaddi leagues in India, the<a href=\"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/tag\/uttar-pradesh-kabaddi-league\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"104\"> <strong>Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL)<\/strong> <\/a>stands out as a path-breaking initiative. Launched in <strong>2024<\/strong>, this league has rapidly captured the imagination of kabaddi fans, athletes, and youth across North India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Beginning of Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The foundation of the <strong>Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL)<\/strong> was laid in <strong>2024<\/strong>, with a clear vision \u2014 to promote kabaddi at the grassroots level, provide a professional platform to local talent, and take the sport to a new height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The league was founded by <strong>Sambhav Jain<\/strong>, a young and dynamic entrepreneur passionate about sports management in India. The official announcement of UPKL was made jointly by <strong>Sambhav Jain<\/strong> and <strong>Vinay Kumar Singh<\/strong>, who is the Joint Secretary of AKFI (Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India) and a key member of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the words of founder <strong>Sambhav Jain<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cOur goal is to promote kabaddi and provide a platform for every player who dreams of making a name through this sport. We are very excited about UPKL because this league will soon become a ray of hope for millions of youth.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>UPKL Season 1: A Grand Beginning and Memorable Moments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>first season of UPKL<\/strong> was successfully organized from <strong>11th July to 25th July 2024<\/strong> in <strong>Noida, Uttar Pradesh<\/strong>. Months of planning and preparation went into this historic event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>player auction<\/strong>, held on <strong>10th June 2024<\/strong> at the <strong>Sarovar Hotel in Noida<\/strong>, became a landmark moment for kabaddi in North India. For the first time, kabaddi players from small towns and districts saw themselves being bid for in a professional auction format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the auction, several players made headlines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Arjun Deshwal<\/strong> was bought by <strong>Lucknow Lions<\/strong> for \u20b93.10 lakh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vinay<\/strong> was picked by <strong>Yamuna Yoddha<\/strong> for \u20b93.10 lakh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Abhijeet Malik<\/strong> went to <strong>Sangam Challengers<\/strong> for \u20b92.60 lakh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ashu Singh<\/strong> was signed by <strong>Awadh Ramdoot<\/strong> for \u20b91.5 lakh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These figures reflect the growing respect, recognition, and financial empowerment that kabaddi players are now receiving through UPKL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Teams That Lit Up UPKL Season 1<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Eight dynamic teams participated in the debut season of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League, representing the cultural and sporting spirit of different regions of the state:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Yamuna Yoddha<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Noida Ninja<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kashi Kings<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Awadh Ramdoot<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Braj Stars<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sangam Challengers<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ayodhya Warriors<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ganga Kings of Mirzapur<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Grand Finale<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The final match of UPKL Season 1 saw a thrilling contest between <strong>Lucknow Lions<\/strong> and <strong>Sangam Challengers<\/strong>. In a commanding performance, <strong>Lucknow Lions<\/strong> defeated <strong>Sangam Challengers<\/strong> with a score of <strong>59\u201332<\/strong>, becoming the <strong>first-ever UPKL Champions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The final was graced by <strong>Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary<\/strong>, making the event even more special for players and fans alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Record-Breaking Digital Reach and Viewership<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The success of UPKL Season 1 wasn\u2019t just on the ground \u2014 it created a storm in the digital space too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <strong>BARC India<\/strong>, the first season recorded:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Over 30 million TV viewers<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>More than 300 million digital impressions<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The league received an overwhelming response from <strong>Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities<\/strong>, where kabaddi has deep emotional roots. Fans connected passionately through live streams, social media, and regional content \u2014 proving that kabaddi\u2019s heart truly beats in India\u2019s heartland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>UPKL Season 2: New Energy, New Teams, and Bigger Dreams<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After the grand success of Season 1, the <strong>Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League<\/strong> is ready to return with an even bigger <strong>Season 2<\/strong>, kicking off on <strong>25th December 2025<\/strong> in Noida. The <a href=\"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/upkl-2025-player-auction-uttar-pradesh-kabaddi-league-noida\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2511\">Auction<\/a> will take place on <strong>3rd November 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This time, UPKL will feature <strong>12 teams<\/strong> \u2014 with <strong>4 new franchises<\/strong> joining the league. The number of matches will increase to <strong>64<\/strong>, spanning over <strong>17 days<\/strong> of nonstop action and entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Names of 4 new teams added to UPKL Season 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After the tremendous success of its inaugural season, the <strong>Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL)<\/strong> is all set to make a grander and more exciting return in <strong>2025<\/strong>. The league, which began with <strong>eight teams<\/strong> in its debut edition, is now expanding its reach to <strong>12 teams<\/strong> this season \u2014 a strong reflection of its rising popularity, professional structure, and growing fan base across the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Joining the UPKL family this year are four new franchises \u2014 <strong>Aligarh Tigers<\/strong>, <strong>Purvanchal Panthers<\/strong>, <strong>Gazab Ghaziabad<\/strong>, and <strong>Kanpur Warriors<\/strong>. The addition of these new teams not only intensifies the competition but also ensures that kabaddi talent from every corner of Uttar Pradesh gets the platform it truly deserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Digital Expansion and Fan Engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The UPKL management has big plans for <strong>fan engagement<\/strong> in Season 2. The organizers aim to bring fans closer through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Interactive social media campaigns<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Live streaming on popular digital platforms<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regional language promotions<\/strong> across Uttar Pradesh<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The vision is clear \u2014 UPKL is not just a sports event anymore, but a <strong>cultural movement<\/strong> that celebrates passion, pride, and local identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Organizing Force: SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt. Ltd.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The entire Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League is managed and executed by <strong>SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt. Ltd.<\/strong>, a company dedicated to promoting kabaddi on a professional and global level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under the leadership of <strong>Sambhav Jain<\/strong>, the company is working to ensure that kabaddi gets the same level of recognition, structure, and professionalism as other major sports leagues in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Future of Kabaddi Shines Bright in Uttar Pradesh<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL)<\/strong> has already proven that kabaddi is no longer a rural pastime \u2014 it\u2019s a professional sport with immense potential. Through UPKL, players from every corner of the state are getting a golden opportunity to showcase their talent on a big stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the coming years, the league is expected to produce future stars who will represent India in <strong>national and international tournaments<\/strong>, including the <strong>Pro Kabaddi League<\/strong> and the <strong>Indian National Kabaddi Team<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UPKL is not just about matches and trophies \u2014 it\u2019s about <strong>dreams, determination, and the rise of kabaddi in North India<\/strong>. With every raid and tackle, it is scripting a new chapter in India\u2019s sports history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is transforming kabaddi in India. Founded by Sambhav Jain, it promotes UP\u2019s local talent and redefines professional kabaddi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2523,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[103],"tags":[105,107,106,104],"class_list":["post-2520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-upkl","tag-upkl","tag-upkl-2025","tag-upkl-season-2","tag-uttar-pradesh-kabaddi-league","resize-featured-image"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2520"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2524,"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520\/revisions\/2524"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kabaddiarena.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}