Mandya Ready for Action: Karnataka to Host Senior National Kabaddi Championship 2027
Mandya will host the 73rd Senior National Kabaddi Championship from Jan 7-10, 2027. Defending champions Indian Railways aim to retain the title.
Get ready for a high-octane clash of strength and strategy! Karnataka is all set to host the Senior National Kabaddi Championship 2027, bringing the intensity of India's premier domestic kabaddi competition to the heart of Mandya. The 73rd edition of this prestigious tournament is scheduled to take place from January 7 to 10 at the Sir M Vishveshvaraiah Stadium.
The Battle for Glory: What to Expect
Organised under the guidance of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), the championship will see a massive gathering of the country's best raiding and defending talent. Around 30 teams, consisting of more than 400 players, are expected to descend upon Mandya. These teams will represent various States, Union Territories, and leading institutional sides from across India.
To ensure a professional and standardised playing surface, all matches in the tournament will be played on mats. Each participating team is permitted to register a maximum of 14 players for the event.
The Defending Champions
All eyes will be on Indian Railways, who enter the 2027 competition as the defending champions. Their journey to the top was cemented during the 72nd edition held in Vadodara, Gujarat, from February 24 to 27. In a dominant display of skill, Indian Railways crushed Maharashtra with a score of 49-31 in the final to lift the trophy.
Tournament Format and Progression
Following the successful blueprint of the previous edition, the tournament will begin with a group stage. The participating teams will be split into multiple pools, where they will battle for supremacy in the league phase. Only the top two teams from each pool will earn the right to progress to the high-stakes knockout stages.
A Breeding Ground for Superstars
The Senior National Kabaddi Championship is far more than just a trophy hunt; it has evolved into a vital launchpad for athletes aiming for the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Some of the biggest names in the sport today have honed their skills on this platform, including:
- Naveen Kumar: A two-time PKL Most Valuable Player (MVP).
- Ashu Malik, Aslam Inamdar, and Sumit Sangwan.
- Sunil Kumar: The most successful captain in PKL history, who played a pivotal role in Indian Railways' recent championship victory.
The influence of this tournament extends to the international stage as well. A significant number of players who helped India secure gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games and the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championships first rose through the ranks of the Senior Nationals.