For countless South Asians, Kabaddi is more than just a sport—it’s a cherished childhood memory and a cultural touchstone. Now, this iconic game is set to evoke nostalgia and excitement as it arrives in Australia for the very first time.

Kabaddi, the high-intensity contact sport from ancient India, will make its Australian debut this December with the first-ever Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) exhibition match. The doubleheader will take place on December 28 at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena, marking a thrilling new chapter for the sport in the our island contient.

Played between two teams for over 40 minutes, Kabaddi involves players raiding the opponent’s side, tagging defenders, and returning safely—all while holding their breath and chanting "Kabaddi, Kabaddi." The game demands agility, strategy, and teamwork, offering a thrilling experience for both players and spectators.

Kabaddi is the second-largest sport in India after cricket, and it has also seen a surge in global popularity in recent years. And now, for the first time, the Australia will have the chance to experience the excitement of this historical sport up close.

Premier Jacinta Allan, alongside Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, Indian Consul General Dr. Sushil Kumar, and AFL greats Campbell Brown and Josh Kennedy, announced the landmark event. The announcement follows Premier Allan’s return from Delhi, where she pledged to bring Kabaddi to Victoria.

“I am so proud to deliver on the promise I made in India to bring Kabaddi back home to Victoria,” Premier Jacinta Allan told The SAARI Collective.

After the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the MCG, fans can cross the road to enjoy another iconic international event in the sporting capital.

“Walking across the road from the Boxing Day Test to the first ever Australian Pro Kabaddi match – you can’t get better than that,” she adds. “India's number one and two sports will be side-by-side in the world's sporting capital.”

The double-header begins with a curtain-raiser featuring Australian athletes facing an Indian team of Pro Kabaddi players, followed by the main event: a Pro Kabaddi All-Stars game between two PKL teams filled with Indian superstars.

“The Pro Kabaddi League has one of the fastest growing fan bases around the globe, and we know people will flock to see this one-of-a-kind event – another major event keeping our state buzzing and boosting our local businesses and jobs,” Minister Dimopoulos told SAARI.

Former AFL stars Campbell Brown and Josh Kennedy will play key roles, with Brown coaching the Australian team and Kennedy serving as captain.

"Kabaddi has such a long-standing history in India, and it's a privilege to be part of the magic here in Melbourne,” says Brown. 

“The energy surrounding Kabaddi is contagious, and I am excited to represent our country on the big stage. We will train hard and look forward to challenging the PKL in Melbourne next month,” Kennedy added.

Victoria continues to strengthen its ties with the Indian community, both locally and internationally. As the top state in Australia for Indian visitation and expenditure, Victoria welcomed over 187,000 Indian visitors in the year ending June 2024, contributing more than $480 million to the state’s economy. This makes India Victoria’s second-largest market for international spending.

Building on this cultural connection, the PKL exhibition adds to Victoria’s blockbuster summer lineup, which includes Maithili Thakur’s first-ever Australian concert at Margaret Court Arena on December 1 as part of ALWAYS LIVE 2024.

“Victoria is the top destination for Indian visitors, and it’s easy to see why – the Pro Kabaddi matches are part of a blockbuster summer of events, including Indian folk sensation Maithili Thakur at ALWAYS LIVE, Australia vs. India at the Boxing Day Test, the Australian Open and the NGV’s Summer Exhibition,” informs Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements.

Kabaddi is an ancient sport with roots tracing back over 4,000 years to India, where it was played as a form of physical contest and a training method for warriors. The game, a blend of wrestling and tag, gained prominence in the Indian subcontinent and became a key part of South Asian culture. 

Kabaddi's modern resurgence began in the 1990s with its debut at the Asian Games, where India clinched gold. The launch of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) in 2014 transformed the sport, attracting players and fans from over 15 countries and amassing nearly 300 million viewers annually in India.

The 2016 Kabaddi World Cup further cemented its global appeal, featuring teams from nations like Poland and Kenya. Today, the PKL has elevated Kabaddi to an international phenomenon, captivating millions of fans worldwide. Efforts are now underway to include Kabaddi in the Olympics and expand its presence globally.

With nearly 260,000 Indian-born residents and over 370,000 people of Indian ancestry, Victoria is an ideal host for Kabaddi’s Australian debut. 

Don’t miss the Pro Kabaddi Melbourne Raid—tickets are available now on Ticketmaster, starting at just $10 for children and $55 for adults!

 Radha Mishra is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in newsrooms. Now practising independently, she is passionate about covering issues that matter. She strives to deliver accurate and impactful stories to audiences globally.