Sports
UPKL Season 2 TV reach surges 120 per cent to 40 Million
State kabaddi league doubles viewership with Zee broadcast boost
NOIDA: The raiders were not the only ones making swift moves this season. Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League, organised by SJ Uplift Kabaddi, has clocked a 120 per cent surge in television reach for Season 2, underlining the rising appetite for regional sporting leagues across India.
Broadcast exclusively by Zee Entertainment Enterprises, the league was telecast live in Hindi and English on Zee Anmol Cinema 2 and &Pictures HD, expanding its footprint across households nationwide. Hosted at the Noida Indoor Stadium, Season 2 delivered a cumulative reach of 40 million viewers aged 2 and above, compared with 18.2 million in Season 1.
The Average Minute Audience rose sharply to 90.8, up from 49 in the inaugural season, signalling deeper engagement and stronger stickiness for the state-based league format.
“Season 2 marked an important step forward in UPKL’s journey,” said SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain. “Our focus has been on building a professionally structured league that strengthens regional development and creates sustainable pathways for kabaddi talent. We are grateful to the team at Zee Sports for their support and look forward to a long-standing partnership.”
Organised by SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt. Ltd. in association with the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi Association, the league continues to position itself as a grassroots-to-professional platform. Season 2 featured 66 live matches, up from 55 in Season 1, offering fans more mat time and more local rivalries.
The competition also expanded its roster with four new teams: Kanpur Warriors, Aligarh Tigers, Purvanchal Panthers and Gazab Ghaziabad, taking the tally to 12 franchises. Actor Tusshar Kapoor joined as co-owner of the Gazab Ghaziabad franchise, adding a touch of star power to the sporting spectacle.
The season, which kicked off on 25 December 2025, culminated on 10 January 2026 with Kashi Kings lifting the trophy, capping off a fortnight that proved regional kabaddi is no longer playing a supporting role. It is firmly in the spotlight.
