With more than 112 players representing over 20 countries and a mixed gender franchise format, the inaugural Korfball Premier League aims to bring one of the world's inclusive team sports to a wider audience while creating new commercial opportunities for Indian sport.
The Korfball Premier League will feature eight franchise teams, more than 112 players from over 20 countries and a 16 day tournament in New Delhi, while Sheetal Kharka, Founder of Bien être Consulting, said India’s expanding sports economy needs new sporting properties beyond cricket.
India’s first Korfball Premier League will begin its inaugural season from September 19 to October 4, 2026, introducing a professionally managed franchise competition aimed at expanding the sport’s reach and creating opportunities for athletes, brands and fans.
Organised by Game Changers FZCO in partnership with Sporty Bharat, the league is being launched under the philosophy “Naya Khel, Nayi Soch”, reflecting a renewed approach to presenting Korfball to Indian audiences rather than introducing a new sport to the country.
The tournament will be held at the Tyagraj Indoor Stadium in New Delhi over 16 days and will feature eight franchise teams. Each squad will consist of 14 players, including seven men and seven women, reflecting Korfball’s mixed gender format. More than 112 players are expected to participate, including 62 Indian athletes and nearly 50 international players representing over 20 countries.
Player auctions are scheduled for August, while matches will be played in an eight player format with four men and four women competing during 40 minute contests. Players will wear white jerseys representing the sport’s principles of equality, discipline and inclusion.
Although Korfball has been played in India for more than four decades, including bronze medal finishes at the Asia Oceania Korfball Championship in 2002 and 2006, the sport has remained outside the mainstream sporting landscape despite continued participation by Indian youth teams in international competitions.
Bien être Consulting has been appointed to lead the league’s strategic branding and communications.
Sheetal Kharka, Founder, Bien être Consulting, said, “For me, Korfball represents something much bigger than the launch of another league. Industry estimates suggest India’s sports economy could grow from nearly 19 billion dollars today to around 40 billion dollars by 2030.”
She added, “This growth cannot come from cricket alone. While cricket still contributes nearly 80 percent of India’s sports economy, the country still needs new sporting properties, new fan communities, and fresh stories that brands can genuinely associate with.”
Amandeep Singh, Founder, Game Changers FZCO and Co Founder, Korfball Premier League, said, “Korfball Premier League is more than the launch of a new sports league. It is about creating a sustainable commercial ecosystem for an incredible sport that deserves global attention. At Game Changers FZCO, our vision is to build properties that deliver value for athletes, brands, franchise owners and fans alike. We believe KPL can become a benchmark for how emerging sports are successfully commercialised.”
Gagandeep Singh, Co Founder, Korfball Premier League, said, “The strength of Korfball lies in its inclusivity, international appeal and exciting style of play. Our objective is to build a league that creates opportunities for players, attracts meaningful investment from brands and delivers an unforgettable experience for fans. Season One is only the beginning of a long term vision.”
The league was officially launched at Shangri La Eros, New Delhi, in the presence of officials from the Korfball Federation of India, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia, former international players, sports administrators and members of the media, where the league logo and roadmap for the inaugural season were unveiled.
India became affiliated with the International Korfball Federation in 1982 and hosted the IKF World Korfball Championship in 1995, the first edition of the tournament to be organised outside Europe. Today, the sport is played across 26 states, with the Korfball Federation of India aiming to expand participation through a professionally structured franchise league.
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