SJ Uplift Kabaddi, the organiser of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League, has valued UPKL at Rs 238 crore, following its inaugural season in 2024.
The first season of UPKL featured eight teams and delivered strong performance across audience engagement, broadcast reach, and digital traction.
Per an official release, SJ Uplift Kabaddi is “spearheading a new era in Indian sport by building franchise-based, regionally rooted leagues with national presence and global ambition”.
According to data from the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India, Season 1 of UPKL reached over 30 million television viewers and garnered 300 million digital impressions, with significant viewership from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Broadcast partners included Sony Sports Network (Sports Ten 1 and Ten 3), DD Sports, and FanCode, helping to establish a robust multi-platform footprint.
This milestone highlights the league’s rapid rise within India’s sports ecosystem and underscores the increasing commercial and cultural value of regional sports IPs both in India and on the global stage.
SJ Uplift Kabaddi director and founder Sambhav Jain said, “This valuation is a reflection of the growing popularity and resonance of our leagues, especially UPKL. It reaffirms our belief in the power of grassroots sports and the untapped potential of regional talent. The response from fans, franchises, and brands has been overwhelming. Building on the success, our vision is to build a sustainable ecosystem where athletes, fans, and brands come together to celebrate the spirit of Indian sports. As the sport continues to evolve, we are committed to building kabaddi into a globally recognized, professionally managed sport that India can proudly export.”
