Kabaddi fans, prepare for history in the making as the Pro Kabaddi League lands in Melbourne for the first time. Premier Jacinta Allan, after returning from Delhi with a promise to bring Kabaddi to Victoria, has delivered. Alongside Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, Indian Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar, and AFL icons Campbell Brown and Josh Kennedy, Allan announced the Pro Kabaddi Melbourne Raid set to take place on 28 December at John Cain Arena.
“I am so proud to deliver on the promise I made in India to bring Kabaddi back home to Victoria,” said Allan. “Walking across the road from the Boxing Day Test to the first-ever Australian Pro Kabaddi match—you can’t get better than that.”
The event will kick off just after day three of the Boxing Day Test, inviting fans to head over from the MCG for a double-header Kabaddi experience. The curtain-raiser will feature an Australian team led by AFL favourites challenging Indian Kabaddi pros. Then, the main event will unfold, showcasing two Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) teams filled with Indian stars, giving local fans an authentic taste of India’s second most popular sport.
“Kabaddi has such a long-standing history in India, and it’s a privilege to be part of the magic here in Melbourne,” shared Campbell Brown, who will coach the Australian side. Sydney Swans’ former captain Josh Kennedy, heading up the Australian team, added, “The energy surrounding Kabaddi is contagious, and I’m excited to be representing our country on the big stage. We’ll be training hard and look forward to challenging the PKL in Melbourne next month.”
Tickets, on sale from tomorrow at Ticketmaster, start at a family-friendly $10 for children, with adult prices beginning at $55. The event promises to be accessible and exhilarating for both seasoned Kabaddi fans and curious newcomers.
Minister Dimopoulos noted the event’s potential to further elevate Victoria’s already vibrant sports calendar. “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.”
For Victoria, which welcomed over 187,000 Indian visitors last year who spent $480 million locally, this event strengthens its status as Australia’s top destination for Indian tourists. Brendan McClements, CEO of Visit Victoria, emphasised this, saying, “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.”
The Pro Kabaddi League, launched in 2014, now draws nearly 300 million viewers annually in India. Known for its intense, fast-paced action, Kabaddi requires players to raid their opponent’s side, tagging as many defenders as possible within 30 seconds. Played over 40 minutes, the sport demands strategy, agility, and quick reflexes, making it an edge-of-the-seat experience for fans.
With AFL icons coaching and captaining the Australian team, and a main event starring India’s finest, Melbourne’s Kabaddi debut promises an unforgettable addition to the city’s summer lineup.
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