Haryana Announces Year-Long Sports Calendar for 2025-26

Haryana's Sports Department unveiled its ambitious year-long sports calendar for 2025-26 last Friday, mapping out competitions that will run from May 2025 through March 2026. The calendar gives the state's athletes plenty of time to prepare for upcoming tournaments across numerous disciplines. "Athletes need proper preparation time to perform their best," said Gaurav Gautam, Haryana's Sports Minister. "This calendar provides a clear roadmap of competitions so they can plan their training cycles accordingly."

The newly released schedule includes tournaments spanning nearly all Olympic, Commonwealth, and Asian Games sports. A new mobile app is also in progress which will provide detailed information about each event to athletes. 

Haryana has its name marked in the India' sports powerhouse as it consistently produces athletes who produce real time results in international competitions. Keeping in mind, Haryana's position in Indian sports, the Haryana government has increased sports budget this year. 

MAY

State set to host a three-day Akhara Dangal competition from May 16-18 as traditional wrestling is an important part of Haryana 's sports culture. These wrestling competitions are significant part of local Haryana culture often coinciding with festivals and celebrations of historical figures. 

"Wrestling isn't just a sport here – it's part of our heritage," explained Sunil Kumar, a local wrestling coach. "These state-level tournaments help us identify talent early and nurture the next generation of champions."

JUNE

Boxing enthusiasts will get their chance to shine during the State Boxing Championship scheduled for June 6-8, followed by the Senior State Sports Mahakumbh from June 20-22. 

JULY

As summer progresses, volleyball competitions will take place from July 4-6, with the State Athletics Championship following from July 18-20.

AUGUST

August will feature badminton tournaments during the first week and swimming competitions later in the month. "What makes this calendar special is its comprehensiveness," noted Priya Sharma, a sports analyst. "It covers everything from team sports like basketball and handball to individual disciplines like gymnastics and taekwondo."

SEPTEMBER

The fall schedule includes basketball in early September, followed by the prestigious CM Cup running from September 18-28.

OCTOBER

October will feature taekwondo and gymnastics competitions, showcasing the diversity of Haryana's sporting talent. 

NOVEMBER

November brings special significance with the Milkha Singh Memorial Run scheduled for November 20-25, honoring India's legendary sprinter. The event has become increasingly popular since its inception, drawing participants from across the region. "The Milkha Singh Memorial isn't just a race – it's a tribute to one of India's greatest athletes," said race organizer Deepak Hooda. "Each year we see more runners inspired by his legacy." 

DECEMBER And JANUARY

The sporting year concludes with nursery-level competitions in December, interdepartmental tournaments in January.

FEBRUARY And MARCH

Marathon events in Gurugram and Faridabad during February and March 2026. 

While the calendar primarily includes events organized directly by the Sports Department, numerous private organizations and institutions also host additional competitions throughout the year. 

The government's commitment to sports development extends beyond just organizing events. Recent budget increases have been allocated toward improving training facilities, hiring specialized coaches, and providing better equipment for aspiring athletes.