Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: New Dates, Live Telecast and India’s Coaching Staff Announced

The kabaddi spotlight is moving to Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as India prepares to host the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026. The tournament will bring national teams together for a new international competition featuring both men’s and women’s kabaddi. The latest announcement confirms the revised dates as October 23 to 31, 2026, with matches scheduled at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. Fans will also be able to follow the action on television and through online streaming.

Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Key Details

Where to Watch the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 Live?

Kabaddi fans in India will be able to follow the tournament through its announced broadcast partners.

• Live television: Star Sports

• Live streaming: JioHotstar

The broadcast announcement is an important development for the sport, giving fans a way to follow the competition beyond the venue.

India Men’s Kabaddi Coaching Staff

The men’s coaching team combines experienced leadership with former players familiar with the demands of high-level kabaddi.

• Head Coach: J. Udaya Kumar

• Assistant Coach: Manjeet Chhillar

• Assistant Coach: Rohit Kumar

J. Udaya Kumar is a respected name in Indian kabaddi coaching. According to the published coaching announcement, he has previously guided India to major international success, including World Cup titles in 2004 and 2007. He has also coached the national side at multiple Asian Games. Manjeet Chhillar brings extensive playing experience to the coaching group, while Rohit Kumar completes the three-member staff shown in the announcement. Their immediate task will be to prepare the Indian men’s team for a tournament in which the country will be expected to compete for the title.

India Women’s Kabaddi Coaching Staff

India’s women’s team will have a separate coaching unit for the championship.

• Head Coach: Kavitha Selvaraj

• Assistant Coach: Priyanka Pilania

• Assistant Coach: Jayashree Swain

Kavitha Selvaraj will lead the women’s coaching staff, supported by Priyanka Pilania and Jayashree Swain. With separate coaching groups appointed for the men’s and women’s teams, India will be able to prepare for the specific demands of each competition. The announcement of both coaching units is an important step as preparations continue for the inaugural championship.

Why the Inaugural Championship Matters

The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship offers India an opportunity to host an international competition and showcase kabaddi to a wider audience. The tournament is also significant for the sport’s international development. The championship’s organisers describe it as a first-of-its-kind event for national teams from across the Commonwealth, with both men’s and women’s titles at stake. Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 Ahmedabad’s role as host also adds a local connection for kabaddi fans in Gujarat, where the sport has a strong following.

Can India Win Both Titles?

India will enter the competition with high expectations, particularly after the men’s and women’s teams won gold at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. However, the Indian coaching appointments do not by themselves confirm the final playing squads. The team selection and match performances will determine how the campaign unfolds. The championship will provide an opportunity for the selected players to compete internationally and for India to pursue both titles on home soil.

Final Word

The countdown is on for the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 in Ahmedabad. With the revised dates set for October 23–31, Star Sports and JioHotstar announced as broadcast partners, and coaching staffs named for both Indian teams, several important preparations are now in place. For Indian kabaddi, the goal will be clear: make the inaugural championship a memorable one and compete for gold in both the men’s and women’s events. Ahmedabad is ready for kabaddi. The next chapter begins on October 23.