Udghosh’26 presents “Arcana Ascension”, featuring 20 sports and esports, the return of aquatics, and an expanded pre-fest and entertainment programme.

Kanpur, 07 October 2026: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur is set to host the 22nd edition of Udghosh, its annual flagship sports festival, from 9 to 11 October 2026. The three-day festival will bring together athletes and participants from institutions across the country for a vibrant programme featuring competitive sports, esports, entertainment and community initiatives.

Udghosh’26, themed “Arcana Ascension”, represents an athlete’s journey from challenger to champion. The theme reflects the different experiences, challenges, and choices encountered by athletes, and their continuous progression through preparation, discipline, competition, setbacks, and perseverance towards higher levels of performance and achievement.

The 2026 edition will feature 20 sports, including esports, with the return of aquatics competitions after a prolonged hiatus. The sporting programme includes Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Lawn Tennis, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Powerlifting, Weightlifting and Mr Udghosh, along with the wider esports programme.

Leading up to the main festival, Udghosh’26 organised an extensive pre-fest calendar comprising sports, social responsibility and community engagement initiatives. These included a live session with sports journalist Ridhima Pathak on World Sports Journalists Day, an online session with Grandmaster Akash Ganesan on International Chess Day, a plantation drive involving approximately 1,200 saplings, and blood donation camps held on 15 August and 2 October, which collectively collected more than 400 units of blood.

The pre-fest programme also included UNOSQ (Udghosh National Open School Quiz), which received more than 2,220 registrations from school students, as well as interaction sessions featuring Vikas Gupta and Prashant Jain.

On 29 August, Aaveg: Marathon for a Cause, a 5-kilometre marathon, drew more than 250 participants. UDAAN 2026, held on 26–27 September in association with the Cell for Differently Abled Persons (CDAP), IIT Kanpur, and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), brought together more than 130 para-athletes from IIT Roorkee, IIT Delhi, Dr Ambedkar Institute of Technology for Divyangjan and IIT Kanpur across Carrom, Chess, Table Tennis and Badminton. The pre-fest calendar concluded with a Cyclothon on 4 October, organised in association with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Fit India, with more than 750 participants.

Adding to the festival experience, Udghosh’26 will feature a Freestyle Football showcase at the Open Air Theatre (OAT), IIT Kanpur. New social and entertainment experiences such as “Prom”, a masquerade party, and “Blind Date”, a speed-dating activity, will also be introduced. The festival will continue its popular entertainment offerings, including Comedy Night, Band Nights, Victory Vibes and Bollywood Night, along with informal activities and exhibitions. Mr Udghosh will also form part of the competitive and entertainment programme, while the festival will culminate in a Closing Ceremony celebrating the sporting achievements and experiences of the three-day event.

Udghosh is the annual flagship sports festival of IIT Kanpur and provides young athletes with a platform to demonstrate their skills, competitive spirit and sportsmanship while fostering interaction and healthy competition among institutions across the country.

About IIT Kanpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, is recognised as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India. Renowned for excellence in science, engineering, and interdisciplinary education, IIT Kanpur spans a 1,050-acre lush green campus and comprises 20 departments, 27 centres, three interdisciplinary programmes, and three specialised schools. With over 570 faculty members and more than 9,500 students, the institute continues to lead in innovation, research, and holistic development.

For more information, please visit: www.iitk.ac.in