A major moment in the history of kabaddi arrived in May 2026 as the Asian Kabaddi League officially announced the launch of the world’s first commercially funded women’s kabaddi league. The new competition is set to become a game-changer for women athletes in India and across Asia.
The Asian Kabaddi League women’s professional league will create a full-time professional structure for women players, something that has never existed before in kabaddi history.
While short events like the Women’s Kabaddi Challenge took place in the past, this is the first long-term, professionally managed, and fully broadcast-supported women’s kabaddi competition.
World’s First Commercially Funded Women’s Kabaddi League
The world’s first commercially funded women’s kabaddi league will officially begin in August 2026.
The league will feature eight city-based franchises from across India and around 120 professional women athletes under contract. Players will receive salaries, professional agreements, sports science support, and year-round development opportunities.
This structure moves women’s kabaddi into a completely new era where athletes can now build full careers through the sport.
The league is expected to become one of the biggest developments in indigenous Indian sports over the last decade.
Asian Kabaddi League Sony Sports Partnership
One of the biggest reasons behind the excitement is the Asian Kabaddi League Sony Sports partnership.
Sony Sports Network has been confirmed as the exclusive broadcaster for the tournament. The matches will receive prime time television coverage across India, giving women kabaddi players national visibility like never before.
AKL director Shauryaveer Chandwani described the partnership as a major statement for women’s sports in India.
According to Chandwani, the deal proves that women’s kabaddi deserves a place on the biggest sports platforms in the country.
The television support is also expected to attract major sponsors and brands into the competition.
Strong Focus on Grassroots Development
Unlike many leagues that begin only with corporate investment, the AKL first focused on building a grassroots network.
The organizers launched a nationwide campaign called “On The Road with AKL,” which traveled through villages, academies, and local kabaddi clubs across India.
The aim was to discover young talent directly from rural areas and connect them with professional opportunities.
This system is expected to create a long-term pathway for female athletes who previously had very limited professional options after playing at the state or national level.
Women’s Professional Kabaddi League India Targets Massive Audience
The women’s professional kabaddi league India project is also built around kabaddi’s already huge fan following.
Kabaddi remains one of India’s most watched sports, especially in Tier II and Tier III cities. Reports suggest the sport already has a viewer base of more than 400 million people across the country.
Indian women’s kabaddi teams have enjoyed major international success for years, including strong performances at the Asian Games and Asian Championships. However, players never had a permanent domestic professional platform to showcase their skills regularly.
The AKL hopes to change that completely.
A New Era for Women’s Kabaddi
The launch of the Asian Kabaddi League could become a turning point for women’s sports in India.
With strong television backing, professional salaries, franchise teams, and grassroots scouting systems, the league has the potential to grow into a major sporting property alongside competitions like the Women’s Premier League and the Pro Kabaddi League.
For the first time, women kabaddi players will have a professional stage fully built around them, and that could change the future of the sport forever.
