Tickets go on sale for the Kabaddi World Cup 2025 – in a first for the UK

Tickets for the first Kabaddi World Cup ever to be hosted in the UK will go on sale at 10am this Friday 24th January – and they’re expected to sell fast. Pre-registrations for tickets have already entered the thousands, as fans from across the world seek to get in on the action. Taking place in the West Midlands, this is the first time the championships have been hosted outside of Asia.

Hosted as a joint venture between World Kabaddi, the British Kabaddi League, West Midlands Combined Authority and the four hosting local authorities of Wolverhampton, Coventry, Birmingham and Walsall, the Kabaddi World Cup 2025 will take place in venues across the region between 17th and 23rd March. The tournament is supported by £500,000 of funding support from the UK Government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund.

The key dates and locations for fans to note are:

• Group stages: 17th – 21st March in Wolverhampton, Coventry, Birmingham and Walsall

• Men’s Quarter Finals: 21st March, Walsall

• Men’s and Women’s Semi Finals: 22nd March, Wolverhampton

• Men’s and Women’s Finals: 23rd March, Wolverhampton.

As one of the host cities, Coventry is proud to welcome the Kabaddi World Cup 2025. Matches for this thrilling and fast-paced sport will be taking place at Coventry Building Society Arena which is renowned for staging world-class events. Coventry City Council is proud to support the tournament, which will not only showcase this international competition, but also highlight the city’s role as a hub for cultural celebration and high-profile events.

When tickets launch, fans will have only 52 days to get their hands on tickets for their desired event. Ticket prices will range from £5 - £25, depending on the event day and denomination of ticket.

Ashok Das, President of World Kabaddi, commented: “When I first had a vision to introduce my much-loved sport to the UK over 20 years ago, I could never have anticipated that this day would come. The day where we switch on ticket sales for the first Kabaddi World Cup to take place outside Asia, right here in my home in the West Midlands.

“Over the last 20 years we have grown grass roots engagement in Kabaddi, with a thriving UK league, and now we’re hosting the biggest tournament in our sport, on the world stage, welcoming the world’s best teams for a fun, energetic and interactive celebration of South Asian sport.”

Paul Michael, Managing Director at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming kabaddi fans and players from around the world to the Coventry Building Society Arena in March.

“The Kabaddi World Cup builds on our heritage of hosting major national and international sporting events and further highlights Coventry’s pedigree as a destination for live sport.

“It is an opportunity to celebrate our city’s diversity and cultural heritage and reaffirms the Arena’s position as a place that brings communities from across Coventry together for the best experiences. It will also provide a platform to engage and inspire new audiences with this exciting sport.

“The excitement is building now that tickets are on sale and we’re expecting high demand from local fans and internationally based supporters.”

Eight group matches will be played in Coventry on Wednesday 19th March. These include six men’s matches, highlighted by Pakistan vs Italy and India vs USA, plus an exciting clash between host nation England and Malaysia. Fans will get to see two women’s games in Coventry as England take on Poland and India face Cameroon.

Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport at Coventry City Council, said: "It's fantastic to see that tickets go on sale today for the Kabaddi World Cup. As a city we wanted to introduce more people to both the sport and the culture behind kabaddi. After months of activation and delivery to both communities and schools, mini tournaments along with hosting the Kabaddi League and of course forming the city's first ever kabaddi team, the Coventry Chargers, we have definitely succeeded here.

"It will be brilliant to welcome even more people into the city as we host yet another high-profile sporting event in just a few weeks. The World Cup will showcase some of the best kabaddi players in the world and it's not one to miss. I really encourage people to join us at the event and enjoy what is such an exciting sport. It would be great to inspire even more people in our city to get active, engage in the sport or try something new."

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Becoming the first place outside South Asia to host the Kabaddi World Cup is a huge moment for the West Midlands. With millions watching, we’ll show the world why our region is a top destination for global events and a great place to do business.

"This tournament will bring thousands of overseas fans, boosting our economy and celebrating the vibrant South Asian communities that are such a vital part of our region. The 2025 Kabaddi World Cup will be more than just a sporting event – it’s a celebration of the diversity, energy, and spirit that makes the West Midlands truly special."

The ancient sport of kabaddi, which is popular in South Asia and the most-watched sports league in India after cricket’s Indian Premier League, is a fast-paced contact sport where the aim is to enter your opponents’ territory, tag them, and make it back without being tackled.

The West Midlands will welcome players, supporters, and spectators from countries like India, USA, Kenya, Tanzania, and those closer to home from both Scotland and England providing an economic boost for the region. Spectators will also get to enjoy a celebration of the sport in both the opening and closing ceremonies which promise to engage fans of all ages.

If you’re ready to delve into a truly international spectacle of sport – get your tickets and fast. For more information and to purchase yours, visit: https://kabaddiworldcup2025.com/

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