Zee Sports UPKL Exclusive Broadcast Deal 2025: Kabaddi—a sport deeply rooted in India’s soil—is witnessing yet another powerful leap. The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL), one of the fastest-growing state-level sports leagues in the country, is all set to transform into a PAN-India property. This major elevation comes with a landmark announcement: Zee Sports and UPKL have entered a 3-year strategic broadcast and digital partnership, one that promises to take the league to millions of homes across India.
This historic collaboration between Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited’s new sports division Zee Sports and SJ Uplift Kabaddi’s UPKL marks a significant moment for India’s regional sports leagues. For the first time, a state-based league is getting a dedicated long-term national broadcast deal, with televised matches across multiple Zee network channels and digital streaming on ZEE5.
Let’s explore what this means for the league, the fans, and Indian kabaddi as a whole.
A Landmark 3-Year Deal: Zee Sports × UPKL
The multi-year agreement between Zee Sports and the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League covers:
- UPKL Season 2 (2025)
- UPKL Season 3 (2026)
- UPKL Season 4 (2027)
For all three seasons, Zee Sports will serve as the exclusive TV broadcaster and digital streaming partner. UPKL matches will be telecast on:
- Zee Bollywood
- &Pictures HD
- Anmol Cinema 2
- And live-streamed on ZEE5
This means that every match, every raid, every tackle, and every moment of high-energy kabaddi action will reach a nationwide audience—something that was earlier limited only to regional viewers.
The UP Kabaddi League’s return on 24 December 2025 marks the beginning of a larger, more ambitious vision for kabaddi in India.
Season 2 to Begin 24 December 2025: Bigger, Bolder, Better
UPKL Season 2 will kick off on 24 December 2025, and the excitement is already building up across sports circles. This time, the scale is much larger:
- 12 Teams (up from 8 last season)
- 4 New Franchises added
- 71 Matches
- 19 days of non-stop kabaddi
- Tournament hosted in Noida
With twelve city-based teams representing different regions of Uttar Pradesh, the competitive spirit is expected to rise to an all-time high. The addition of new franchises also reflects the growing interest from investors and the rapid expansion of the league’s fan base.
The entire tournament will feature live Hindi commentary, ensuring accessibility and a deep regional connection for the audience.
Taking Kabaddi to a PAN-India Audience
Zee Sports’ entry into the UPKL ecosystem signifies more than just a broadcast partnership. It symbolizes the beginning of a national movement to push kabaddi further into mainstream sports entertainment.
Kabaddi has always been India’s own combat sport—fast, thrilling, traditional, and deeply emotional for millions. With this partnership:
- UPKL now gains PAN-India visibility
- Players from Uttar Pradesh will get national recognition
- Sponsors and brands will engage more actively
- The league will transform from a regional platform to a national sporting property
This is a major win for Indian sports.
Zee Sports’ Vision: Building India’s Sporting IPs
Sharing his thoughts on the partnership, Bavesh Janavlekar, Business Head – Zee Sports, said:
“At Zee Sports, we believe in championing India’s own sporting heritage. Our focus is on building sustainable and scalable regional as well as national IPs that inspire fandom and create long-term value. With this strategic partnership, we aim to give Kabaddi the platform and storytelling it truly deserves through our vast TV reach and ZEE5’s digital ecosystem.”
Zee Sports plans to bring a cinematic, high-quality broadcast experience to kabaddi matches. From HD visuals to engaging match analysis, player stories, and high-octane commentary, the league will get a polished, professional makeover.
For fans, it means experiencing kabaddi with greater depth, clarity, and entertainment value.
UPKL’s Vision: From Grassroots to Global Platform
UPKL has already proven its credibility with a successful Season 1 where fan engagement and franchise participation exceeded expectations. With a strong foundation in place, the league is now ready to scale nationally.
UPKL Founder & Director Sambhav Jain said:
“The partnership with Zee Sports reflects the evolution of UPKL from a regional initiative to a scalable sporting enterprise. Season 2 will elevate the league to the next level and take UPKL into homes across India. This collaboration not only amplifies the visibility of our players and teams but strengthens our mission of building a professional and inclusive kabaddi ecosystem.”
UPKL’s core mission remains unchanged:
- Identify young talent from grassroots
- Train and nurture them professionally
- Provide them with exposure on national television
- Prepare them for international platforms
This partnership is a massive leap in that direction.
Also Read: UPKL 2025: New Team “Kanpur Warriors” Joins Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL)
What Fans Can Expect This Season
1. A Bigger Pool of Players
With 12 participating teams, UPKL Season 2 will see a diverse mix of experienced raiders, emerging local stars, and young athletes prepared to make their debut on national television.
2. High-Quality Hindi Commentary
Hindi remains the emotional language of kabaddi fans. The league’s commitment to delivering top-quality Hindi commentary ensures that every viewer feels connected to the action.
3. Enhanced Production & Broadcast Quality
Thanks to Zee Sports’ expertise, viewers will get:
- Dynamic camera work
- Slow-motion tackle replays
- Tactical analysis segments
- Pre-match and post-match discussion
- Player-focused storytelling
4. Accessible Digital Streaming
For fans who prefer watching on the go, ZEE5 provides seamless streaming of all matches, highlights, and replays.
5. Bigger Rivalries, Bigger Drama
With more teams and more matches, expect:
- New rivalries
- Closer scorelines
- Intense raiding battles
- Tactical defence strategies
- Electrifying last-minute turnarounds
UPKL Season 2 promises two weeks of pure adrenaline.
Why This Partnership Matters for Indian Sports
India’s sports ecosystem is changing. Regional leagues are now emerging as strong feeder systems for national and international teams. The partnership between Zee Sports and UPKL showcases:
- A growing industry confidence in kabaddi
- Rising investor interest in regional sporting events
- A structured approach to building long-term sporting IPs
- Increased opportunities for local athletes
This collaboration also emphasises that Indian sports beyond cricket are gaining significant momentum.
Conclusion: A New Era for UPKL Begins
The partnership between Zee Sports and Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League is more than a business deal—it is the beginning of a vision to take Indian kabaddi to new heights. With nationwide TV coverage, digital accessibility through ZEE5, expanded teams, and professional broadcasting, UPKL Season 2 is set to become a grand sporting spectacle.
From 24 December 2025, kabaddi fans across India will witness intense competition, raw talent, and heart-thumping action—live and exclusive on Zee Sports.
The roar of the arena, the thrill of the tackles, and the chants of “Kabaddi… Kabaddi!” are ready to echo across the nation.
UPKL is not just returning—it is rising. And this time, the entire country will be watching.
