Noida, Feb 27: SJ Uplift Kabaddi’s Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 delivered an impressive surge in viewership for its second season, underscoring the growing popularity of state-level kabaddi leagues across India. With exclusive broadcast support from Zee Entertainment, Season 2 was aired in Hindi and English on Zee Anmol Cinema 2 and &Pictures HD, with matches hosted at the Noida Indoor Stadium.
Season 2 achieved a 120% growth in cumulative reach, touching 40 million viewers (2+), with an Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 90.8 (2+). This marks a significant rise from Season 1, which reached 18.2 million viewers and recorded an AMA of 49, reflecting the increasing appetite for high-quality regional kabaddi.
Commenting on the success, Sambhav Jain, Founder and Director, SJ Uplift Kabaddi, said:
“Season 2 marked an important step forward in UPKL’s journey. Our focus has been on building a professionally structured league that strengthens regional development and creates sustainable pathways for kabaddi talent. We are thankful to the team at Zee Sports for their support throughout the league and look forward to a longstanding partnership.”
Organised by SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt. Ltd. in association with the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi Association, the league aims to promote grassroots-to-professional pathways through competitive kabaddi. Season 2 featured 66 live matches, up from 55 in Season 1, and introduced four new franchises – Kanpur Warriors, Aligarh Tigers, Purvanchal Panthers, and Gazab Ghaziabad – bringing the total to 12 teams. Actor Tusshar Kapoor joined as co-owner of the Gazab Ghaziabad franchise.
The season, which began on 25 December 2025, concluded with the Kashi Kings lifting the trophy on 10 January 2026, capping off a season marked by high energy, professional management, and increasing fan engagement.
With Season 2’s success, the UPKL continues to establish itself as a premier platform for nurturing talent, fostering regional pride, and delivering exciting kabaddi action to millions of viewers nationwide.