Officials manage the entire match through a defined hierarchy of referees, umpires, scorers, and timekeepers. Power plays, reviews, and substitutions are covered under this structure, reflecting the growing complexity of competitive matches. The standard court is a rectangular field with dimensions of 27 metres in length and 16 metres in width.

The Kho Kho world cup marks a significant milestone in the evolution of traditional Indian sports. As the tournament enters its second international edition, it continues to promote agility-based competition with global reach. With a format involving fast-paced, strategic chases and team-based play, this event elevates what was once a regional pastime into a fully professional contest. The edition expands participation, introduces digital enhancements, and garners international recognition through structured tournament design. The launch of the 2026 World Cup of Kho Kho in New Delhi marked a major step in bringing global recognition to the traditional Indian sport. This marked a significant milestone for the Indian-origin team chase discipline, as 23 nations from six continents competed over an intense seven-day event.

Explained: What is Kho Kho? How is it played?

One active participant begins pursuit from a free zone, while six others remain seated in specific formations along the central lane. The seated members face alternating directions, which is key to strategic handoffs. The primary task of the active participant is to eliminate defenders within the turn duration.

How to play Kho Kho?

• Chasers pursue without crossing central lanes or changing direction, while defenders avoid tags within boundaries.
• They move around a marked area, using the posts and lane structure to their advantage.
• Initiatives such as the Ultimate League and consistent world tournament scheduling are expected to drive further expansion into Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports.
• Runners, on the other hand, enter in groups of three and must avoid contact using sharp turns, rapid acceleration, and positional awareness.
• With backing from Sony Pictures Networks and an investment of ₹200 crore over five years, the league has already seen substantial traction, drawing 64 million viewers during its debut season.

The emergence of structured leagues and international tournaments has opened new avenues for Kho Kho betting. With matches now broadcast live and statistics updated in real time, followers are engaging beyond viewership. Kho Kho information from the 2026 edition highlights its evolution into a fast-paced global tournament.

• The standard court is a rectangular field with dimensions of 27 metres in length and 16 metres in width.
• In modern India, Kho Kho federation of India plays a key role in promoting the game through structured leagues and national-level programs.
• The Kho Kho Federation of India was established in 1955 to regulate the sport nationally, organise competitions, and represent India in international governing bodies.
• If a teammate extends his arms or legs for the ball, it is considered illegal.
• Kho-Kho rules outline the responsibilities of match officials and procedures for scoring and substitutions.
• Once all three defenders are out, the defending team sends in the next batch of three defenders.

The SAF Games remain important for developing competitive Kho Kho outside India, particularly in Nepal where the sport is growing rapidly.

Top 10 Rules of Kho Kho Game

It will witness the participation of 24 countries from six continents, comprising 21 men’s and 20 women’s teams. It is the second-most popular traditional tag game in the Indian subcontinent after Kabaddi. Players must contact their state or regional federation or register via official event portals operated by the Kho Kho Federation of India before national selections or trials. The structure of the tournament was designed to reward tactical precision, teamwork, and speed. Both categories of men and women featured round-robin play followed by knockout rounds. Each match featured timed innings, ensuring the format stayed engaging while remaining accessible to new audiences across digital platforms.

A chaser can also tag a fellow inactive chaser by saying “Kho,” handing over the chase. The tagged chaser becomes active, and the one who gave the “Kho” becomes inactive, sitting in the active chaser’s position. India is the origin country, where it began as a rural chasing activity and later developed into a regulated sport with leagues and world-level tournaments. India will host the 2025 tournament, with all matches scheduled at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi under the supervision of the national and international federations. Addressing the question, which country will host the Kho Kho world cup, India retains its status as the founding nation and continues as the official host. The rich heritage of the country in team chase contests and recent advancements in organisational infrastructure made it an obvious choice.

All PC components, listed as Components under “Computers & Accessories” that are labeled as not returnable on the product detail page are not eligible for returns. Software products that are labeled as not returnable on the product detail pages are not eligible for returns. Refunds applicable only if it has been determined that the item was not damaged while in your possession, or is not different from what was shipped to you. Refunds will be issued only if it is determined that the item was not damaged while in your possession, or is not different from what was shipped to you. A direct red card, meanwhile, results in suspension from the ongoing match and the next match of the tournament. These bodies collaborate with national units to streamline the evolution of the sport across countries.

Each match is structured into two innings, with every inning split into seven-minute phases of attacking and defending. Seven attackers enter the field while defenders arrive in batches of three. Each tag earns two points, with bonuses for specific actions such as pole dives or sky dives. Match officials—referee, umpires, timekeepers, and scorers—oversee compliance and scoring accuracy. In Kho Kho, the match begins with the active chaser trying to tag one of the three defenders.

Team rankings of women

It is especially helpful for coaches, team officials, and referees who need clear, consistent standards for match management. The PDF ensures that all matches—regardless of region—follow the same structure, offering fairness and transparency. It can be used in educational settings, training sessions, and national-level competitions to maintain uniformity. Return the watch in the original condition in brand box to avoid pickup cancellation. We will not process a replacement if the pickup is cancelled owing to missing/damaged contents.

About this Item

The 35th Sub-Junior National Championship drew teams from across India in 2026. This pipeline of young talent feeds both UKK franchises and the national team. In each turn the chasing side gets exactly 9 minutes to tag as many defenders as possible.

The defending side can score bonus points by surviving long enough (“Dream Runs” in UKK format). India won both the men’s and women’s titles, going unbeaten throughout the tournament. Nepal reached both finals — the first time any Nepali team had appeared in a World Cup final in any sport.

Within this space, a central lane measuring 30 cm in width divides the field lengthwise, with two vertical posts fixed at each end. These posts stand at a height of approximately 120 to 125 cm and help chasers shift direction under regulated conditions. Cross lanes measuring 35 to 40 cm cut across the central path at equal intervals.

Developed to make the sport accessible for players with physical disabilities. The rules and regulations of Kho Kho establish a detailed system that governs how the format is conducted at formal levels. Every component—ranging from player roles to court dimensions—is precisely defined. The foundation of each match lies in alternating turns of chasing and defending, where both sides apply tactics, endurance, and awareness to gain a scoring advantage. This item is eligible for free replacement, within 10 days of delivery, in an unlikely event of damaged, defective or different/wrong item delivered to you.

The batch of three for each group of defenders and the sequence in which each batch enters needs to remain the same during a turn. Also, an attacker who tags the last remaining defender of a batch cannot continue the chase. They need to ‘Kho’ or tag in a team-mate to initiate the chase on the new batch of defenders.

The incorporation of free zones, central and cross traditional game rules in India lanes, as well as roles like wazir and phases like power play, adds precision and strategy. This item is eligible for free replacement, within 7 days of delivery, in an unlikely event of damaged, defective or different item delivered to you. Consecutive chasers cannot face in the same direction and have to take their positions facing opposite sidelines. The ninth chaser called the attacking or active chaser, starts the match from one of the free zones. The defending team, meanwhile, sends in a group of three defenders for the start of the match.

Return the clothing in the original condition with the MRP and brand tag attached to the clothing to avoid pickup cancellation. We will not process a replacement or refund if the pickup is cancelled owing to missing MRP tag. Return the speakers in the original condition in brand box to avoid pickup cancellation. We will not process a replacement if the pickup is cancelled owing to missing/ damaged box. Return the camera in the original condition with brand box and all the accessories Product like camera bag etc. to avoid pickup cancellation.