All Eyes on Lucknow as TOISA 2026 Arrives on March 21!

Lucknow is set to host one of India’s most prestigious sporting events as The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2026 arrives in the city on March 21, 2026. The eighth edition of the awards will take place at The Centrum Hotel, bringing together some of the biggest names in Indian sports.

TOISA 2026 will honour outstanding performances by Indian athletes between January 1 and December 31, 2025, across more than 45 categories. The awards recognise not just success, but also consistency and impact across a wide range of sports.

Star-Studded Jury

The winners will be selected by an independent jury featuring some of India’s most respected sporting icons, including Leander Paes, Mithali Raj, Abhinav Bindra, Devendra Jhajharia, Sharath Kamal and PR Sreejesh.

Athletes to Watch

This year’s nominations feature top performers from across disciplines. In badminton, players like Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are among the prominent names.

Why Lucknow Matters

Hosting TOISA in Lucknow highlights the growing role of Uttar Pradesh in India’s sporting landscape, especially at the grassroots level. The city’s selection reflects a broader shift towards recognising emerging hubs of talent beyond traditional metros.

Adding to the significance, voices from the sporting community emphasised the importance of such recognition. Harmanpreet Kaur noted that awards like TOISA acknowledge the sacrifices athletes make and give their efforts a deeper sense of value.

With top athletes, celebrated jury members, and a focus on excellence across sports, TOISA 2026 promises to be a landmark event for Lucknow—putting the city firmly on India’s sporting map.