A major platform for emerging grapplers and decorated international competitors is ready to unfold as the Kabaddi Champions League gears up for its second edition. The official player auction for this anticipated season will take place on October 17, 2026. Organizers expect this edition to deliver heightened intensity and wider scale compared to the inaugural outing, reflecting the sport's growing footprint.
Massive Scouting Campaign Across Rohtak and Sonipat
Before arriving at the final auction registry, league officials conducted a centralized talent identification drive across key sporting hubs. Special screening venues set up in Haryana, specifically within the sporting belts of Sonipat and Rohtak, attracted immense participation from aspiring kabaddi athletes across the nation. Official logs recorded more than 6,000 players registering to test their mettle.
Following exhaustive physical drills and technical evaluations, the panel whittled down the massive candidate pool to an elite shortlist. Over 300 top performers made the cut after rigorous vetting and will now enter the auction ring on October 17. These selected players will be the primary targets as franchise think tanks bid under the hammer to assemble competitive rosters.
Asian Games Gold Medalists Headline the Talent Pool
The headline attraction of the upcoming bidding war rests with marquee athletes who have represented India at elite international events. The auction catalog features several Asian Games gold medalists and seasoned internationals who have delivered triumphs for the country abroad. Among the prominent names, former Indian Asian Games captain Sunil Malik stands out as a primary target for team management groups.
Alongside Sunil Malik, distinguished competitors such as Ayan Lochab, Ankit Jaglan, and Jaideep Dahiya will also be available for selection. Their presence guarantees that bidding duels among team strategists will be sharp and fiercely contested right from the opening lots.
Proven Stars to Provide Squad Depth and Balance
The depth of this auction goes beyond international captains to include an array of proven performers well-versed in high-pressure tournaments. Well-known players like Meetu Sharma, Neerav Narwal, Yogesh Dahiya, Vijay Malik, Surjeet Narwal, and Nitin Dhankar are all slated to feature in the bidding proceedings.
Securing these battle-tested individuals will be a core priority for team owners aiming to construct stable starting combinations. Having experienced names on the roster allows teams to withstand momentum swings and builds the defensive resilience required to contend for the Season 2 championship.
Understanding the Rs 5 Crore Combined Purse and Rs 50 Lakh Cap
To ensure a balanced playing field, financial parameters have been established across all competing organizations. The total player purse for the entire auction stands at Rs 5 crore, evenly apportioned among the 10 franchises taking part in the championship.
This structure affords each franchise an operational spending cap of Rs 50 lakh to construct their entire squad. Team managements will need to navigate this budget ceiling carefully, balancing aggressive bids on marquee names against the necessity of securing capable depth across all playing positions.
Inclusion of Kurukshetra Knights and Jhajjar Jaguars Expands Field
Reflecting the upward trajectory of the tournament, management has officially widened the roster of competing sides by inducting two brand-new outfits, bringing the field to a total of 10 clubs.
The two newly minted franchises have been named Kurukshetra Knights and Jhajjar Jaguars. The addition of these regional squads increases playing slots for grassroots talents while substantially ramping up the competitive friction across the league schedule.
