ADCC India is set to offer a ₹6.5 lakh prize pool at its upcoming event ADCC India Open 2026 in Delhi on October 17, with prizes planned across multiple categories, according to promoter Siddharth Singh.
In an interview with LockerRoom India, Siddharth described the announcement as a significant step for the sport, calling it the biggest cash pool ever in Indian grappling.
“This time we are putting up a cash pool, the biggest one ever in the sport of grappling in India,” Siddharth said.
The ₹6.5 lakh prize pool will be distributed across categories, with Siddharth explaining that divisions featuring more than eight participants will be eligible for cash prizes. The structure is intended to extend rewards beyond the adult divisions, including younger competitors and athletes across different weight classes.
“Any category which has over eight participants will get a cash prize, whether you're a kids division, whether you're an adult, whichever weight class you're in, there will be a cash prize for you,” Siddharth said.
The announcement follows a record turnout at ADCC India's previous national event in Goa, where approximately 350 participants competed, according to Siddharth. He compared that figure with the previous record of 275 participants before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think the biggest event we had had before that was 275 participants, which was, you know, pre-COVID,” he said. “So after COVID, like so many years, now we got to a point where 350 participants came in.”
Siddharth said the increase in participation prompted the organisers to expand the competition setup for the Delhi event. ADCC India plans to use three mat areas, allowing three matches to take place simultaneously.
The Indian Grappler also said the event would take place at JP Atlantic Sports Complex, a venue he described as a 20,000-square-foot facility designed for sports. According to Singh, the venue could accommodate a fourth mat area if registrations exceed 500 participants.
The expansion comes with additional operational requirements, particularly the need for more trained officials to oversee matches and scoring tables.
Siddharth said ADCC India has been working towards international standards in the way its tournaments are organised, with the long-term ambition of increasing the number of competition areas as participation grows.
The event also continues ADCC India's practice of recognising standout performances with cash prizes. Singh said the previous Goa tournament's award for the best athlete went to Angel Patil, whom he described as the standout performer of the event.
With the new ₹6.5 lakh prize pool, the ADCC India team are looking to provide financial incentives across a wider range of divisions while accommodating the growing number of athletes entering the sport.
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