SJ Uplift Kabaddi, the exclusive rights holder for both the World Super Kabaddi League (WSKL) and the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL), announced the launch of the inaugural edition of World Super Kabaddi League.
With the active engagement of nearly 30 countries and formal confirmation from 20 national federations, the inaugural season is tentatively scheduled for February–March 2026 and will be hosted in Dubai.
Unlike UPKL, which was largely India-centric, WSKL has been conceptualized as an international platform with a singular mission: to globalize Kabaddi and pave the way for its inclusion in the Olympic Games. WSKL is backed by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) and holds commercial rights through the South Asian Kabaddi Federation, positioning it as a credible and globally supported league.
WSKL will adopt a franchise-based model featuring eight teams in its inaugural season. Setting itself apart from existing leagues, each team will showcase a strong international presence alongside Indian talent.
The league has committed a total player purse of ₹48 crore across its eight franchises, underscoring the strong investment appetite for this new sports property. WSKL has already secured interest and participation from prominent Kabaddi nations including South Korea, Iran, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, Canada, and the United States, with discussions underway to onboard additional countries.
WSKL is fully owned and operated by SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd and has been founded by Sambhav Jain.
The World Super Kabaddi League is designed not as a seasonal tournament but as a 12-month, year-round Kabaddi ecosystem, creating opportunities for sustained fan engagement, off-season activities, and long-term player development.
Sambhav Jain, Director and Founder, SJ uplift Kabaddi, said, “Kabaddi has always deserved a larger stage not just for India but for the global sporting community. With WSKL, our goal is to reimagine the sport for a global audience, unlock international talent, and take decisive steps towards Olympic recognition. The success of UPKL gave us the foundation, but WSKL is about creating a Kabaddi league that belongs to the world. We are building this with a vision for the next decade, not just the next season.”
