New Delhi: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has announced that Telangana will host the eighth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games 2026, with the competition expected to take place in November.
Telangana will become the second southern state to host the prestigious event in the last three years, following Tamil Nadu, which staged the 2024 edition. The previous edition was held in Bihar in May 2025.
Announcing the decision, Mandaviya said the move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of taking major national sporting events to different parts of the country. He said Telangana possesses both the sporting infrastructure and the enthusiasm required to successfully host the Games, which are expected to attract at least 8,000 athletes, officials and support staff.
The minister also expressed confidence that the 2026 edition would witness high quality performances, noting that the Games will be held after the Asian Games in Japan, when many athletes are expected to be in peak competitive form. He added that the event would provide young sportspersons with an opportunity to interact with and draw inspiration from some of the country’s leading athletes.
In the 2025 edition, Maharashtra topped the medal standings, followed by Haryana and Rajasthan. Host state Bihar finished 15th, while Telangana secured 13th place. During the 2024 Games, hosts Tamil Nadu finished second behind Maharashtra, with Telangana ending the competition in sixth position.
The Bihar edition featured competitions across 28 sports, with medals awarded in 27 disciplines. E sports made its debut as a demonstration event. The Games also witnessed 26 new records, including 13 national youth records, all set in weightlifting, while the remaining meet records were achieved in athletics.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
