UKK season 3 to expand with international players and new opportunities

Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) returns for its boldest season yet, featuring international players, new global exposure, and growth. Season 3, set in New Delhi, promises higher intensity and expanding Kho Kho’s global reach

Hyderabad: After two action-packed seasons that redefined the landscape for Kho Kho, Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) returns with its biggest and boldest edition yet.
Season 3 will feature players from leading Kho Kho-playing nations worldwide and will unfold high-intensity matchdays at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, from November 29.

The inclusion of international players marks a significant leap for the league, firmly establishing the sport beyond Indian borders. Foreign athletes will participate in the upcoming auction, opening the door to new global audiences, talent pipelines, and cross-cultural sporting exchange.

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“Ultimate Kho Kho was conceived with a clear vision to transform a traditional Indian sport into a structured, high-impact league with both national relevance and global ambition,” said Amit Burman, Promoter, Ultimate Kho Kho.

“From creating a professional platform for homegrown talent to now welcoming players from across the world, Season 3 marks a defining chapter. It reflects how far the league has come and how India is ready to take its indigenous sport onto the world stage in a credible, scalable, and sustainable way. This is the roadmap we had envisioned, and we’re only gaining momentum,” he said.

With emerging sports seeing a 24% surge in 2024, UKK has positioned itself as a frontrunner in India’s sports entertainment scene. Riding on two high-impact seasons, the league reached a cumulative audience of 164 million, with 41 million domestic and 64 million global viewers across TV and OTT. On digital platforms, UKK clocked over 60 million interactions and 225 million video views, making it one of India’s fastest-growing non-cricket sports leagues.

Pioneering how Kho Kho is presented, UKK became India’s first indoor league to use spider cam technology, delivering dynamic, cinematic visuals that elevated both the broadcast and in-stadium experience.

Season 3 now sets the stage for grassroots growth, new talent discovery, and a broader global expansion of Ultimate Kho Kho, as international players join the league for the first time. This expanded exposure is expected to elevate the sport’s stature while inspiring a new generation of Kho Kho players across continents.

“Kho Kho’s global rise is no longer aspirational; it’s now being recognized as part of the international sports conversation. Ultimate Kho Kho has been instrumental in creating a structured, competitive, and broadcast-ready format that’s expanded the sport’s appeal far beyond its traditional base. With international players entering the league and India’s golden dominance at the World Cup fresh in memory, Season 3 is a pivotal moment. It signals the sport’s readiness to evolve from a national movement into a globally scalable and commercially viable sporting property,” said Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India.

“Ultimate Kho Kho will play a pivotal role in bringing Kho Kho to the global stage. By welcoming international players and increasing the players’ purse, we are empowering young talent to see Kho Kho as a serious professional sport. With Season 3, our focus is on building a self-sustainable league while offering brands a unique chance to engage with millions of young, digitally savvy fans. As we scale up the spectacle, our partners are investing in a cultural revival—one that blends speed, strategy, and emotion in a truly Indian context, with unmatched visibility, regional reach, and authentic storytelling,” said Dhiraj Parasher, newly appointed CEO of Ultimate Kho Kho.

Season 3 will feature six franchise teams, continuing UKK’s pan-India presence while blending competitive intensity with regional pride. All matches will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network and streamed live on SonyLIV.