With a legacy spanning more than four decades, Korfball is entering a new era in India under the philosophy ‘Naya Khel, Nayi Soch’. The tagline captures the spirit of the Korfball Premier League, not because Korfball is new to India, but because the way India will experience it now.

So far, Korfball has quietly built a strong sporting legacy in India. It has produced international medals, specifically earning bronze medals at the Asia-Oceania Korfball Championship (AOKC) in 2002 and 2006. The Indian youth teams (U-14, U-16, U-19) regularly participate and compete against other nations like China and Thailand.

Yet, despite being one of the world’s most inclusive and fastest-growing team sports, it has remained largely outside India’s mainstream sporting conversation. But that is now set to change.

Game Changers FZCO, together with Sporty Bharat, is taking the sport into its next phase by introducing a professionally managed franchise league that seeks to redefine how emerging sports are built, commercialised and experienced in India.

The league aims to introduce Indian audiences to a fresh sporting experience, while creating a sustainable ecosystem for athletes, brands, franchises and fans alike.

The inaugural edition of the Korfball Premier League will be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, at the Tyagraj Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The 16-day tournament will feature eight franchise teams, each comprising 14 players, including seven men and seven women.

This will reflect the sport’s unique mixed-gender identity. More than 112 players, including 62 Indian athletes and nearly 50 international players representing over 20 countries, are expected to participate, making it one of the most globally diverse sporting leagues to debut in India.

The league will follow a professionally structured franchise model with player auctions scheduled for August, while every match will feature an eight-player (4+4) playing format across 40-minute high-intensity contests. Players will take the court in the league’s signature white jerseys, symbolising equality, discipline and the inclusive values that define Korfball.

Bien-être Consulting has been appointed to lead the league’s strategic branding and communications initiatives. Commenting on the launch, 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 today to around $40 billion by 2030.”

“This growth cannot come from cricket alone. While cricket still contributes nearly 80% of India’s sports economy, the country still needs new sporting properties, new fan communities, and fresh stories that brands can genuinely associate with”, she adds.

Amandeep Singh, Founder, Game Changers FZCO & 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 official launch ceremony took place 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 Season 1 were formally announced.

India has been an integral part of Korfball’s global journey since the country became affiliated with the International Korfball Federation (IKF) in 1982. The country achieved a historic milestone in 1995 by hosting the IKF World Korfball Championship, the first edition ever held outside Europe.

Today, with the sport established across 26 states and a history of consistent podium finishes at international competitions, the Korfball Federation of India (KFI) is ushering in a new era through a professionally structured league designed to accelerate the sport’s growth among athletes, fans, and global audiences.

The launch time of the Korfball Premier League also reflects India’s broader push towards becoming a true multi-sport nation. Over the years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through initiatives such as Khelo India, has consistently championed grassroots sports development, while former Union Sports Ministers Anurag Thakur and Kiren Rijiju have advocated greater investment in emerging sporting disciplines and stronger sporting infrastructure.

Rijiju has also extended support to the growth of Korfball in India during interactions with the Korfball Federation of India. Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra has similarly emphasised the need to diversify India’s sporting ecosystem beyond traditional disciplines.