State-level kabaddi is having a moment. The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 has delivered a standout viewership performance, recording 120% growth in cumulative reach compared to Season 1 — a number that firmly places regional kabaddi leagues on the national sports broadcasting map.
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UPKL Season 2 vs Season 1: By the Numbers
| Metric | Season 1 | Season 2 | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative Reach | 18.2 million | 40 million | +120% |
| AMA (Avg. Minute Audience) | 49 | 90.8 | +85% |
| Live Matches Aired | 55 | 66 | +20% |
| Teams | 8 | 12 | +4 new franchises |
| Broadcast Partner | — | Zee Entertainment (exclusive) | |
| Channels | — | Zee Anmol Cinema 2 + &Pictures HD | Hindi + English |
| Venue | — | Noida Indoor Stadium | — |
| Season Dates | — | Dec 25, 2025 – Jan 10, 2026 | — |
| Champion | — | Kashi Kings | — |
What’s Driving UPKL’s Rapid Rise
Season 2’s AMA of 90.8 against Season 1’s 49 indicates not just more viewers tuning in, but viewers staying engaged longer per match — a key indicator of genuine content quality and fan investment rather than passive reach.
The addition of four new franchises — Kanpur Warriors, Aligarh Tigers, Purvanchal Panthers, and Gazab Ghaziabad — brought the total to 12 teams and added competitive depth across more districts of UP. Bollywood actor Tusshar Kapoor joining as co-owner of Gazab Ghaziabad added celebrity glamour and media attention to the league.
Founder Sambhav Jain credited the growth to UPKL‘s focus on building professionally structured competition that creates sustainable pathways for regional kabaddi talent — a model that mirrors what Pro Kabaddi League did nationally, now playing out at the state level.
With Zee Entertainment as the exclusive broadcast partner across two channels in Hindi and English, the distribution infrastructure is now mature enough to sustain further scaling in Season 3.
For more context on kabaddi’s growing viewership landscape, see Pro Kabaddi League’s official site and BARC India’s sports viewership reports. Also check our coverage of top kabaddi leagues in India 2026 and rising regional sports leagues to watch on TechnoSports.
FAQs
Who won the UPKL Season 2 title?
Kashi Kings lifted the UPKL Season 2 trophy on January 10, 2026.
Which channels broadcast UPKL Season 2 in India?
Zee Anmol Cinema 2 (Hindi) and &Pictures HD (English), both under Zee Entertainment.
