Hosting Kabaddi World Cup will be ‘huge moment’ for West Midlands as 50 matches to take place in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Birmingham

The seven day event will be held in venues across the West Midlands when it gets underway on March 17 and is expected to attract a global audience of around 500 million

It is being hosted by the England Kabaddi Association and delivered by the British Kabaddi League (BKL) and supported by World Kabaddi and will see almost 50 matches in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry and Walsall.

An opening ceremony will feature live music from students at Wolverhampton Music Service, a grand athlete entrance and energetic dance performances from locally-based Bollywood Dreams Dance Company.

Kabaddi is an ancient Indian sport dating back more than 4,000 years and involves players earning points by crossing into their opponent’s territory and returning safely.

The World Cup is sponsored by Paddy Power and has additional funding of £500,000 from the UK Government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund and an official Higher Education sponsorship from the University of Wolverhampton.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This 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 Paddy Power Kabaddi World Cup 2025 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.”

Prem Singh, Chief Executive of the BKL, said: “We are getting closer to fulfilling a decades-long dream of thousands of kabaddi players by bringing the Paddy Power Kabaddi World Cup to the West Midlands region.

“We are confident the World Cup will create even more opportunities for communities to engage with a sport deeply rooted in its cultural heritage, not least through our partnership with our official charity partner, Sporting Equals.”

And Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Resident Services, added: “We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of men’s and women’s teams from around the globe and are thrilled to host the games in Wolverhampton.

“From hosting the opening ceremony, to the semi-finals and finals at Aldersley Stadium, this is a proud moment for our city.

“This event will highlight Wolverhampton as a premier destination and foster pride among our residents while showcasing our cultural diversity.

“We appreciate the support of England Kabaddi and Scotland Kabaddi in securing this event.

“We aim to use the World Cup to introduce kabaddi to more schools, colleges, and universities across the West Midlands, inspiring our young population to be more active.

“We can’t wait to share the excitement with our community and visitors from around the world.”

More information and ticket purchasing is available at the Kabaddi world cup website.