Get ready – Kabaddi is coming, and tickets for the first ever Pro Kabaddi League exhibition match played on Australian soil are on sale now.
Returning from Delhi with a promise to bring Kabaddi to Victoria, Premier Jacinta Allan joined Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos, Indian Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar and AFL greats Campbell Brown and Josh Kennedy in announcing the thrilling double-header.
Pro Kabaddi Melbourne Raid will be held at John Cain Arena on 28 December this year, delivering an electric viewing experience. This event contributes to Victoria's reputation as one of the world’s most cosmopolitan and multicultural cities, further strengthening the state’s global appeal as a dynamic, inclusive, and culturally rich destination.
After stumps on day three of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the MCG, fans will walk across the road and enjoy yet another iconic international event in the sporting capital.
The thrilling double header starts with a curtain-raiser, featuring a team of Australian athletes taking on an Indian team of Pro Kabaddi players.
Then the main event: a Pro Kabaddi All Stars game between two Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) teams, filled with Indian superstars.
Former Australian Rules Football (AFL) stars Campbell Brown (Hawthorn and Gold Coast) will coach the Australian side, while Josh Kennedy (Sydney Swans), will captain the team, which will include other AFL greats.
Kabaddi – the second biggest sport in India behind cricket – is a fast-paced, high-intensity contact sport, featuring two teams of seven battling for points by ‘raiding’ the opponent’s side of the field.
The challenge lies in tagging as many defenders as possible within a 30-second raid. Played over 40 minutes, Kabaddi demands agility, strategy, and teamwork. It’s a thrilling sport to watch.
The Pro Kabaddi League launched in 2014 and has nearly 300 million viewers a year in India. Victoria is home to almost 260,000 Indian-born residents. More than 370,000 Victorians have Indian ancestry.
Victoria is currently the top state in Australia for visitation and expenditure from India. In the year ending June 2024, there were more than 187,000 Indian visitors to Victoria who spent more than $480 million in the state – making India the state’s second largest market for international spend.
Victoria's strong and growing trade and investment relationship with India is supported by deep cultural ties and mutual economic interests. The Victorian Government’s Trade and Investment Offices in Bangalore and Mumbai play a vital role in supporting these partnerships.
There is a long history of engagement between Victoria and Indian businesses across sectors, including education, advanced manufacturing, technology and life sciences. Initiatives including the Australia-India ECTA support these partnerships, creating opportunities for further collaboration and investment. Major events such as the Pro Kabaddi Melbourne Raid celebrate shared passions and help open new avenues for engagement.
Melbourne is a global leader in sports technology, blending its rich sports culture, cutting-edge innovation, and vibrant start-up ecosystem. Home to 44% of Australia’s sportstech companies, it excels in performance analytics, fan engagement, and community sports solutions, driven by renowned universities, government support, and global partnerships.
Adding to the summer line up, Indian folk sensation Maithili Thakur will be performing her first ever Australian concert at Margaret Court Arena on 1 December as part of ALWAYS LIVE 2024.
Get your tickets to Pro Kabaddi Melbourne Raid through Ticketmaster.
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