Walsall getting into gear for Kabaddi World Cup which is coming to the town

Delighted Walsall Council chiefs are getting ready to welcome international sports stars as the Kabaddi World Cup comes charging into the region.

Published Dec 12, 2024

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For the first time ever the Kabaddi World Cup tournament is taking place outside of Asia and will be hosted in turn by venues in Walsall, Wolverhampton, Coventry and Birmingham. The cup featuring 16 nations including England, India, Pakistan, Kenya and the Unites States will take place from March 17-23.

Venues include Wolverhampton University's Walsall Campus, in Gorway Road, Highgate, where it will be hosted on day five of the tagging tournament.

Wolverhampton Wolfpack and Birmingham Bulls Kabaddi players providing a demonstration to guests at the British Kabaddi League launch in Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Walsall Council associate leader Councillor Adrian Andrew said: “The Kabaddi World Cup 2025 is another great opportunity to put Walsall on the map. This is a huge global event so it’s great for Walsall and the West Midlands to be able to host it, bringing the sport to the UK.”

Kabaddi is a tackling game originating from India involving teams running to each side and tagging their opponent before running back without being caught. The strategic wrestling game is believed to have started more than 4,000 years ago and has now grown into a popular south Asian sport.

Kabaddi World Cup launch event at University of Wolverhampton, Chancellors Hall. Photo: Catherine Pickard.

The event was boosted with a £500,000 grant from the Government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund following a joint bid by Wolverhampton Council and World Kabaddi.

Sponsors include the betting company Paddy Power.