Circle kabaddi, also called Punjabi kabaddi, is the village version of the sport, played on a round pitch with no rectangular court and no counted breath. In Pakistan you can watch it at national and international tournaments in Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujrat, and at village events in Punjab. There is no single fixture list, so the practical way to catch a match is to follow the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation and local news.
This guide explains how a circle match works, what has been played in Pakistan recently, how to find a game and what to expect as a spectator. It does not promise dates, because we could not find a published public calendar for 2026 or 2027 events.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| What | Circle-style (Punjabi) kabaddi |
| Pitch | Circle about 22 metres across |
| Match length | 40 minutes, sides switched after 20 (Wikipedia) |
| Recent Pakistan events | 2020 World Cup (Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat); April 2025 Lahore cup |
| Governing body | Pakistan Kabaddi Federation |
| Tickets | Not confirmed for any specific event; check with organisers |
How does circle kabaddi work?
In the standard form of kabaddi, played on a rectangular court at events like the Asian Games, a raider crosses into the other half and tries to tag defenders while chanting "kabaddi" on one breath. Circle style is different in several ways.
According to Wikipedia's entry on Punjabi kabaddi, the game is played on a circular pitch 22 metres across, with an inner circle and a dividing line. It is described there as two teams of eight. Raids are one-on-one: when a raider touches a player, that player has 30 seconds to stop the raider reaching home. If the raider gets back, their side scores, and if the defender stops them, the defenders score. A second defender joining in is a foul, and stepping out of bounds gives the other team a point. Unlike the standard game, the raider does not have to keep chanting "kabaddi". A match lasts 40 minutes, with a change of sides after 20.
Because the rules are described slightly differently in different sources, ask a local fan or the organisers how a particular tournament is run before you watch.
Where has circle kabaddi been played in Pakistan?
The 2020 Kabaddi World Cup
Pakistan hosted the 2020 Kabaddi World Cup (circle style) from 9 to 16 February 2020 at three venues: Punjab Stadium in Lahore, Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad and Zahoor Elahi Stadium in Gujrat. Nine nations took part. Pakistan won its first title by beating India 43 to 41 in the final (Wikipedia, Dawn). Indian players were reported as playing individually, not as an official federation team.
Lahore, April 2025
The Sarsabz Baba Guru Nanak International Circle Style Gold Kabaddi Cup was held in Lahore from 16 to 18 April 2025, organised by the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation and Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited. Teams from Pakistan, India and Iran took part, and Dawn described it as an occasion when an Indian kabaddi team travelled to Pakistan for a tournament for the first time in many years.
Planned events
The federation's published calendar for 2025 listed a Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Kabaddi Cup (circle style) and a kabaddi league in Lahore for November 2025, and a circle-style World Cup in the UAE in December 2025. We could not confirm that these went ahead, and we found nothing yet for 2027. Wikipedia lists an Asia Kabaddi Cup (circle style) as planned in Lahore and Faisalabad, with no confirmed date.
Cross-border teams depend on relations between Pakistan and India, so even announced dates can change.
Kabaddi at village melas
Circle kabaddi is a village sport first, and tournaments are held in Punjab as part of melas and community events (Wikipedia notes more than a thousand tournaments a year across the Punjab region, though not how many are in Pakistan). Those are not advertised in one place. If you want to watch:
- Ask at the local town or through a hotel or a local contact for any tournament or mela that weekend.
- Check the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation and local news before travelling for national and international events.
- Look at the programme of larger melas. Our guide to Punjab culture and traditions explains how village melas are organised.
For the Lahore area, the National Horse and Cattle Show is a better-known event, and you can pair a kabaddi visit with a day in the city using our Lahore day trips guide.
What to expect as a spectator
We found no published information on ticketing, seating or facilities for specific events, so this is general:
- Check entry rules in advance with the federation or organisers, since stadium events may be restricted.
- Go with family or friends, and ask staff where to sit if you are attending as a woman or with children.
- Carry water and shade for outdoor matches. Punjab gets very hot in summer.
- Keep to the area set aside for spectators, since matches are physical and players can end up outside the circle.
Our experiences page has other ideas for seeing local culture.
Is it worth going?
If you like contact sport, a live circle kabaddi match is energetic and quick to follow after a few minutes. It suits people who happen to be in Lahore, Faisalabad or Gujrat during a tournament, but it is hard to plan a trip around because dates are not fixed in advance. If you only have a few days in Lahore, the city's heritage sites will give you a more certain itinerary. Treat kabaddi as a bonus if you find a match.
Frequently asked questions
What is circle kabaddi?
It is the Punjabi version of kabaddi, played on a circular pitch about 22 metres across, with one-on-one raids and no chanting required. A match lasts 40 minutes.
Where can I watch kabaddi in Pakistan?
At national and international tournaments in cities such as Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujrat, and at village events. The 2020 World Cup used stadiums in all three cities.
Has Pakistan won the Kabaddi World Cup?
Yes, in the circle-style World Cup in February 2020 Pakistan beat India 43 to 41 in the final, its first title.
Is there a kabaddi season in Pakistan?
We found no formal season. Tournaments are announced individually by the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation, sponsors or local organisers.
Do I need a ticket?
It depends on the event. None of the coverage we found gave ticket details, so ask the organisers.
