PKL 2026 — also known as Pro Kabaddi League Season 13 — is the next edition of India’s biggest kabaddi competition. Unlike Season 12, which began on 29 August 2025, the Season 13 fixture list has not yet been released by Mashal Sports. Based on current reports, the PKL 13 player auction is expected around mid-October 2026, with the PKL 2026 start date expected around mid-December 2026 and the Final expected in February 2027.
This page brings together everything confirmed and everything reported about Pro Kabaddi 2026: the expected start date, auction timeline, all 12 teams, a complete Season 12 recap with the final points table and playoff results, award winners, the full PKL winners list from 2014 to 2025, and a plain-English guide to how kabaddi scoring works.
Anything not officially confirmed is clearly marked as reported or expected. We update this page as Pro Kabaddi announcements land.
Schedule status: Official PKL 2026 fixtures are awaiting announcement. No match dates, host cities, venues or timings have been confirmed. Be cautious of any site publishing a “full PKL 2026 schedule” right now — several are circulating sample or illustrative fixture lists that are not official.
PKL 2026 Season 13: Quick Information
| Detail | Latest information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Pro Kabaddi League Season 13 |
| Common names | PKL 2026, PKL 13, Pro Kabaddi 2026, PKL 2026-27 |
| Organiser | Mashal Sports |
| Season period | Expected 2026-27 |
| Official fixture list | Not announced |
| Reported player auction | Mid-October 2026 |
| Reported season opening | Mid-December 2026 |
| Expected conclusion | February 2027 |
| Participating teams | 12 existing franchises expected |
| Host cities | To be announced |
| Venues | To be announced |
| Match timings | To be announced |
| Broadcast/streaming | To be announced |
| Tickets | Not on sale |
| Defending champion | Dabang Delhi K.C. |
| Season 12 runner-up | Puneri Paltan |
| Most successful franchise | Patna Pirates (3 titles) |
When Will PKL 2026 (Season 13) Start?
PKL Season 13 is currently expected to begin around mid-December 2026. The exact date has not been confirmed by Pro Kabaddi or Mashal Sports, so the December window should be treated as an expected period rather than a fixture.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reported start | Mid-December 2026 |
| Official start date | Awaiting announcement |
| Reported auction | Mid-October 2026 |
| Expected final period | February 2027 |
| Season 12 comparison | Started 29 August 2025, ended 31 October 2025 |
Where does this date come from
The mid-December expectation traces to a report published by Kabaddi Ultras on 30 June 2026, citing information attributed to Kabaddi360, which placed the season opener in mid-December 2026 and the player auction around mid-October 2026.
It is worth being precise about what that means. This is a single reported timeline, not a confirmation, and it has not been echoed by an official Pro Kabaddi announcement. The official Pro Kabaddi website still lists Season 12 as the most recent completed season, and its teams page continues to show the same 12 franchises with no changes.
Until Mashal Sports publishes fixtures, the following remain genuinely unknown:
- The opening date and the two teams in Match 1
- The full league-stage calendar and total number of matches
- Host cities and stadiums
- Match start times
- Broadcast and streaming partners
- Ticket booking dates and the authorised ticketing partner
- Playoff qualification rules and the Final date
Pro Kabaddi League Season 13 Team Name
A total of 12 teams are participating in season 13 of the Pro Kabaddi League. Below is the name of the teams that are participating in the Pro Kabaddi League 2026 Season 13.
Why could PKL 2026 start later than Season 12?
Season 12 opened in late August. A mid-December opening would push Season 13 nearly four months later in the calendar and would move the business end of the season into 2027.
The most commonly cited reason is the international schedule. The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026, a window confirmed by the Asian Games organising committee. Kabaddi’s leading players are likely to be involved in national-team selection, camps, and preparation around that period.
Starting the league after major international commitments would give players time to return to their franchises and prepare properly. However, Pro Kabaddi has not officially stated that the Asian Games caused the expected December start. This should be read as a plausible scheduling factor, not a confirmed explanation.
Other factors that typically influence PKL scheduling include:
- Player and squad availability after national duty
- National-team camps and selection trials
- Auction timing and the gap needed for squads to train together
- Stadium and host-city availability
- Broadcasting windows and commercial arrangements
Is it PKL 2026 or PKL 2026-27?
Both refer to the same competition. You will also see PKL Season 13, PKL 13, and Pro Kabaddi Season 13.
Fans usually name a season after the year it starts, which is why PKL 2026 is the most searched term. But if the league begins in December 2026 and finishes in February 2027, PKL 2026-27 is the more accurate description of the tournament period.
The season number is the only unambiguous identifier. Whether a match is played in December 2026, January 2027 or February 2027, it belongs to Pro Kabaddi League Season 13.
PKL 2026 Schedule (Season 13 Fixtures)
The PKL 2026 schedule has not been announced. Mashal Sports has not released a match-by-match fixture list, and no host cities or venues have been confirmed for Season 13.
We will publish the complete Season 13 fixture table on this page as soon as the official schedule is released. The structure below shows how it will appear.
PKL 2026 Schedule — Full Fixture List
| Match No. | Date | Match Details | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 2 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 3 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 4 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 5 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
The full fixture list will be published here once Pro Kabaddi announces it. Season 12 featured 108 league matches; the Season 13 match total has not been confirmed.
PKL 2026 Playoff Schedule
| Stage | Date | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play-in 1 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Play-in 2 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Eliminator 1 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Mini-Qualifier | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Eliminator 2 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Qualifier 1 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Eliminator 3 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Qualifier 2 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Final | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Stage names above reflect the Season 12 eight-team postseason format. Pro Kabaddi has not confirmed whether Season 13 will use the same structure.
When will the official PKL 2026 fixtures be released?
The fixture list usually arrives after squads are settled — typically close to or shortly after the player auction. Before publishing a schedule, organisers need to lock down the opening date, host cities and stadium availability, how many matches can be staged per day, broadcast slots, the league-stage structure, and the playoff and Final dates.
If the reported mid-October auction holds, a fixture announcement in the weeks that follow would be consistent with how previous seasons have been rolled out. That is an expectation based on precedent, not a confirmed plan.
PKL 2026 Auction (Season 13 Player Auction)
The player auction is the next major event on the Pro Kabaddi calendar and the single biggest factor shaping Season 13.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Reported auction period | Mid-October 2026 |
| Official auction date | Awaiting announcement |
| Auction venue | To be announced |
| Start time | To be announced |
| Player list | To be announced |
| Team purse | To be announced |
| Broadcast/streaming | To be announced |
| Retained players list | To be announced |
| Released players list | To be announced |
What happened at the Season 12 auction
The Season 12 auction, held in Mumbai across 31 May and 1 June 2025 with more than 500 players in the pool, set records that Season 13 will be measured against.
Ten players crossed the ₹1 crore mark on Day 1 — the first time that had ever happened in PKL history.
| Player | Price | Team | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh | ₹2.23 crore | Gujarat Giants | Most expensive of PKL 12; fourth most expensive ever |
| Devank Dalal | ₹2.205 crore | Bengal Warriorz | Fifth most expensive ever |
| Ashu Malik | ₹1.90 crore | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Retained via two-season FBM |
| Arjun Deshwal | ₹1.405 crore | Tamil Thalaivas | |
| Aanil Mohan | ₹78 lakh | U Mumba | Top buy on Day 2 |
| Pawan Sehrawat | ₹59.5 lakh | Tamil Thalaivas | |
| Akash Shinde | ₹53.10 lakh | Bengaluru Bulls | Second-highest Day 2 buy |
| Nitin Rawal | ₹50 lakh | Jaipur Pink Panthers | |
| Sandeep Kumar | ₹49 lakh | U Mumba | |
| Gurdeep | ₹47.10 lakh | Puneri Paltan | |
| Fazel Atrachali | ₹30 lakh | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Went on to win MVP |
Shadloui was picked up in the very first bid of the evening and became the first player in PKL history to be bought for more than ₹2 crore in three consecutive seasons.
The Fazel Atrachali line is worth dwelling on. Delhi paid ₹30 lakh for a defender who then won Most Valuable Player of the Season and made the tackle that sealed the Final. The auction rewards big spending, but it does not decide seasons on its own.
The Final Bid Match (FBM) rule
The Final Bid Match, or FBM, lets an eligible franchise buy back one of its former players by matching the winning bid from another team.
If a released player attracts a winning bid of, say, ₹1 crore, the player’s previous franchise may be given the option to match that amount and keep him. In Season 12, the rule allowed teams to retain players for either one or two seasons — Dabang Delhi used a two-season FBM to keep Ashu Malik at ₹1.90 crore.
FBM details vary by season: which players are eligible, how many FBM options each team gets, and whether the right applies to retained or released players. The Season 13 FBM rules have not been confirmed.
Retained and released players
Before bidding opens, every franchise must complete a set of squad decisions: retaining key players, releasing others into the auction pool, confirming New Young Player signings, and setting budgets and priority positions.
- Retained players stay with their existing franchise, preserving leadership, tactical understanding, chemistry and the fan connection built around recognisable names.
- Released players return to the pool and can be signed by any franchise — including, via FBM, their old one. A release does not always signal poor form; it often reflects budget planning or a change in coaching strategy.
The complete Season 13 retention and release lists have not been announced.
Auction categories and player roles
Auction players are grouped by category (typically A through D, reflecting valuation) and by playing role.
Raiders enter the opposition half to score. A quality lead raider delivers consistent points, handles Do-or-Die raids, wins bonus points, and applies pressure that changes how defences set up. Most teams also sign supporting raiders to spread the workload.
Defenders stop the raider and are specialists by position — left corner, right corner, left cover, right cover. Corners typically attempt ankle holds and aggressive tackles; covers rely on blocks, dashes, and chain tackles. Defence is a combination sport: an excellent individual defender can look ordinary in a unit that communicates badly.
All-rounders contribute in both phases. They become valuable when a raider is injured, a defender is suspended, or a match calls for balance rather than specialisation.
Domestic and overseas players
Indian players make up the bulk of PKL squads, arriving through state and national championships, university kabaddi, Services and police teams, Railways, and franchise academies and scouting programmes.
International players bring different styles and, often, elite defensive technique. Previous seasons have featured players from Iran, South Korea, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya, and Sri Lanka. Iran in particular has supplied some of the league’s most decorated names — Fazel Atrachali and Mohammadreza Shadloui between them hold two of the biggest reputations in the competition.
The Season 13 overseas list will depend on registration, eligibility, and the auction rules announced closer to the event.
PKL 2026 Teams (Season 13)
Pro Kabaddi League Season 13 is expected to feature the same 12 franchises as Season 12. No new team has been announced, and no existing team has been removed.
| # | Team | Home base | PKL titles | Season 12 finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bengal Warriorz | Kolkata | 1 (S7) | 12th |
| 2 | Bengaluru Bulls | Bengaluru | 1 (S6) | 3rd |
| 3 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Delhi | 2 (S8, S12) | Champions |
| 4 | Gujarat Giants | Ahmedabad | 0 | 11th |
| 5 | Haryana Steelers | Sonipat | 1 (S11) | 5th |
| 6 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Jaipur | 2 (S1, S9) | 8th |
| 7 | Patna Pirates | Patna | 3 (S3, S4, S5) | 7th |
| 8 | Puneri Paltan | Pune | 1 (S10) | Runners-up |
| 9 | Tamil Thalaivas | Chennai | 0 | 10th |
| 10 | Telugu Titans | Hyderabad | 0 | 4th |
| 11 | U Mumba | Mumbai | 1 (S2) | 6th |
| 12 | U.P. Yoddhas | Noida | 0 | 9th |
Final squads, captains, and coaching staff will only become clear after retentions and the player auction. Below is each franchise’s Season 12 outcome and likely Season 13 priorities.
Bengal Warriorz
Bengal Warriorz finished bottom of the Season 12 table with six wins from 18 matches and a score difference of -104, the worst in the league. That happened despite signing Devank Dalal — the Best Raider of Season 11 — for ₹2.205 crore, which tells its own story about how little a single marquee raider can do without support.
Season 13 priorities: a more dependable starting seven, better defensive coordination, stronger corner combinations, and leadership that reduces reliance on individual brilliance.
Bengaluru Bulls
Bengaluru Bulls were one of the strongest league-stage sides in Season 12, finishing third with 11 wins from 18 and posting the best score difference in the entire league at +97. Then the postseason arrived, and they lost to Telugu Titans in the Mini-Qualifier and Patna Pirates in Eliminator 2.
That gap — dominant across a long season, brittle in knockouts — is the single thing Season 13 has to fix. Retaining their strongest performers matters, but so does execution when a single match decides everything.
Dabang Delhi K.C.
Dabang Delhi K.C. enter Season 13 as defending champions after beating Puneri Paltan 31-28 in the Season 12 Final at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium — their home venue. It was their second PKL title, after their maiden triumph in Season 8 against Patna Pirates.
They finished second in the league table with 13 wins, level on 26 points with Puneri Paltan but behind on score difference, then won a tie-breaker in Qualifier 1 to go straight to the Final.
Season 13 brings a problem they have never had: only one franchise in PKL history has ever successfully defended a title. Patna Pirates did it across Seasons 3, 4, and 5. Nobody has repeated it since. Haryana Steelers came into Season 12 as champions and finished fifth. Delhi must now manage retention, aggressive bidding from rivals for their core, and the reality that every opponent studies champions more closely.
Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants finished 11th with six wins from 18 and a heavily negative score difference of -73, despite paying ₹2.23 crore for Mohammadreza Shadloui, the most expensive player in the auction.
Shadloui’s own season was a story of two halves — a slow start that drew real criticism, then a sharp turnaround in the second half of the campaign. The team never found the same second gear. Gujarat has also overhauled its coaching setup ahead of Season 13.
Priorities: a clear tactical identity, a reliable first-choice raider, and defensive partnerships that make the money already spent actually work.
Haryana Steelers
Haryana Steelers entered Season 12 as defending champions after winning their maiden title in Season 11. They stayed competitive, finishing fifth with 10 wins from 18, before going out in Play-in 1 to Jaipur Pink Panthers 27-30.
Recent championship experience is real currency. The Season 13 question is elimination-game nerve.
Jaipur Pink Panthers
Jaipur Pink Panthers finished eighth with eight wins from 18 and a score difference of -48 — a mediocre league campaign that still produced a postseason run. They beat Haryana Steelers 30-27 in Play-in 1 before being dismantled 48-32 by Patna Pirates in Eliminator 1.
Two-time champions (Seasons 1 and 9) and one of the league’s most recognisable brands, Jaipur need league-stage consistency and less dependence on a narrow group of players.
Patna Pirates
Patna Pirates produced the story of the Season 12 postseason. They entered from seventh place — 8 wins, 10 losses, +10 — and then won three consecutive knockout matches: U Mumba 40-31 in Play-in 2, Jaipur Pink Panthers 48-32 in Eliminator 1, and Bengaluru Bulls 46-37 in Eliminator 2. Telugu Titans finally stopped them 46-39 in Eliminator 3, one match short of a Qualifier.
They also produced both individual stars of the season: Ayan Lohchab won Best Raider with 316 raid points, and Navdeep won Best Defender with 73 tackle points.
Patna remains the most successful franchise in PKL history with three titles (Seasons 3, 4, 5) and the only team ever to defend one. Season 13’s task is turning that postseason ceiling into league-stage consistency — and, critically, keeping Ayan and Navdeep, both of whom will attract serious bidding.
Puneri Paltan
Puneri Paltan topped the Season 12 league table with 13 wins and a league-best-among-contenders score difference of +88. They lost Qualifier 1 to Dabang Delhi on a tie-breaker, beat Telugu Titans 50-45 in Qualifier 2 to reach the Final — and lost the title 31-28.
Champions in Season 10. Runners-up in Season 12 after leading the table all season. The priority is obvious: keep the core together and finish the job.
Tamil Thalaivas
Tamil Thalaivas won six of 18 in Season 12 and missed the postseason, despite an auction that brought in Arjun Deshwal (₹1.405 crore) and Pawan Sehrawat (₹59.5 lakh) — two of the most recognisable raiders in the league.
Still without a title after a decade, and with a new coaching structure being assembled, Season 13 is a genuine fork: rebuild properly around consistent raiding points, defensive combinations and squad depth, or repeat the same expensive mistakes.
Telugu Titans
Telugu Titans were among the best postseason performers of Season 12. Fourth in the league with 10 wins and +45, they then beat Bengaluru Bulls 37-32 in the Mini-Qualifier and Patna Pirates 46-39 in Eliminator 3, before losing Qualifier 2 to Puneri Paltan 50-45 — one match from the Final.
Still chasing a first title, they enter Season 13 with genuine championship potential. The job is adding depth without breaking what already works.
U Mumba
U Mumba finished sixth with 10 wins from 18 and a score difference of +8, qualifying for the Play-ins before losing 31-40 to Patna Pirates.
Season 2 champions with real history, U Mumba need consistency in high-pressure fixtures and better attacking support.
U.P. Yoddhas
U.P. Yoddhas finished ninth with seven wins from 18 and -65, missing the postseason. They have appointed a new head coach ahead of Season 13.
Priorities: a dependable lead raider, defensive coordination, and better decisions in the closing minutes of tight matches.
PKL Season 12 Full Recap (For Context)
Season 12 is the clearest reference point for what Season 13 might look like.
| Season 12 detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening date | 29 August 2025 |
| Final date | 31 October 2025 |
| Participating teams | 12 |
| League-stage matches | 108 |
| Postseason matches | 9 |
| Total matches | 117 |
| Host cities | Vizag, Jaipur, Chennai, Delhi |
| Champion | Dabang Delhi K.C. |
| Runner-up | Puneri Paltan |
| Final score | Dabang Delhi K.C. 31-28 Puneri Paltan |
| Final venue | Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi |
| MVP | Fazel Atrachali (Dabang Delhi K.C.) |
| Best Raider | Ayan Lohchab (Patna Pirates) |
| Best Defender | Navdeep (Patna Pirates) |
PKL Season 12 Final Points Table
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puneri Paltan | 18 | 13 | 5 | +88 | 26 |
| 2 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | 18 | 13 | 5 | +38 | 26 |
| 3 | Bengaluru Bulls | 18 | 11 | 7 | +97 | 22 |
| 4 | Telugu Titans | 18 | 10 | 8 | +45 | 20 |
| 5 | Haryana Steelers | 18 | 10 | 8 | +40 | 20 |
| 6 | U Mumba | 18 | 10 | 8 | +8 | 20 |
| 7 | Patna Pirates | 18 | 8 | 10 | +10 | 16 |
| 8 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 18 | 8 | 10 | -48 | 16 |
| 9 | U.P. Yoddhas | 18 | 7 | 11 | -65 | 14 |
| 10 | Tamil Thalaivas | 18 | 6 | 12 | -36 | 12 |
| 11 | Gujarat Giants | 18 | 6 | 12 | -73 | 12 |
| 12 | Bengal Warriorz | 18 | 6 | 12 | -104 | 12 |
Puneri Paltan finished first on score difference, with 13 wins and +88, reflecting a season of convincing victories rather than narrow escapes. Dabang Delhi matched those 13 wins with a lower +38, but proved far more reliable in tight matches — the quality that decided the postseason. Bengaluru Bulls posted the league’s best score difference at +97 and still went out in the knockouts, a reminder that league dominance and playoff nerve are different currencies.
PKL Season 12 Venue Legs
Season 12 used a four-city caravan format, building toward a Delhi finish.
| City | Venue | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vizag | Vishwanadh Sports Club | 29 Aug – 11 Sep 2025 | 1-28 |
| Jaipur | SMS Indoor Stadium | 12 – 27 Sep 2025 | 29-52 |
| Chennai | SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium | 29 Sep – 10 Oct 2025 | 53-76 |
| Delhi | Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium | 11 – 31 Oct 2025 | 77-108 + playoffs |
The Vizag leg opened with Tamil Thalaivas beating Telugu Titans 38-35, followed by a tie-breaker between Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan. The Delhi leg hosted the closing league matches and the entire postseason — which meant Dabang Delhi won the title in their own city.
Season 13 host cities have not been announced. A similar multi-city model could return, but nothing is confirmed.
PKL Season 12 Playoff Results
Season 12 used an expanded eight-team postseason: Play-ins, a Mini-Qualifier, three Eliminators, two Qualifiers and the Final.
| Stage | Fixture | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Play-in 1 | Haryana Steelers vs Jaipur Pink Panthers | Jaipur won 30-27 |
| Play-in 2 | U Mumba vs Patna Pirates | Patna won 40-31 |
| Eliminator 1 | Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Patna Pirates | Patna won 48-32 |
| Mini-Qualifier | Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans | Telugu won 37-32 |
| Eliminator 2 | Patna Pirates vs Bengaluru Bulls | Patna won 46-37 |
| Qualifier 1 | Puneri Paltan vs Dabang Delhi K.C. | 34-34; Delhi won tie-breaker 6-4 |
| Eliminator 3 | Telugu Titans vs Patna Pirates | Telugu won 46-39 |
| Qualifier 2 | Puneri Paltan vs Telugu Titans | Puneri won 50-45 |
| Final | Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Puneri Paltan | Delhi won 31-28 |
Two things stand out. Patna Pirates won three straight knockouts from seventh place, proving how dangerous a lower seed becomes in an expanded bracket. And Dabang Delhi’s tie-breaker win in Qualifier 1 was pivotal — it sent them directly to the Final while Puneri Paltan had to win Qualifier 2 just to arrive at the same place.
The Season 12 Final
Played on 31 October 2025 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi, the Final finished Dabang Delhi K.C. 31-28 Puneri Paltan.
Delhi won it on defensive discipline, controlled raiding and composure in a close finish — the same qualities that had already beaten Puneri Paltan on a tie-breaker in Qualifier 1. Fazel Atrachali’s tackle on Aditya Shinde in the closing seconds sealed it.
It gave Dabang Delhi their second title and left Puneri Paltan — league table toppers with 13 wins and +88 — as runners-up after an otherwise dominant campaign.
PKL Season 12 Award Winners and Prize Money
| Award | Winner | Team | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Valuable Player | Fazel Atrachali | Dabang Delhi K.C. | ₹20 lakh |
| Best Raider of the Season | Ayan Lohchab | Patna Pirates | ₹15 lakh |
| Best Defender of the Season | Navdeep | Patna Pirates | ₹15 lakh |
| New Young Player | — | — | ₹8 lakh |
| Super Raid of the Season | — | — | ₹5 lakh |
| Tackle of the Season | — | — | ₹5 lakh |
| Game Changer of the Final | — | — | ₹50,000 |
| Moment of the Final | — | — | ₹50,000 |
Fazel Atrachali (MVP) — bought for just ₹30 lakh, the Iranian veteran scored 52 tackle points, finished as Delhi’s best defender, and made the tackle that won the Final. He also stepped up as a raider during tiebreakers, and crossed 550 career tackle points during the campaign.
Ayan Lohchab (Best Raider) — 316 raid points in 22 matches in only his second season, with 16 Super 10s and 9 Super Raids. He crossed 300 raid points in a single season, joining a very short list alongside names like Pardeep Narwal and Pawan Sehrawat, and drove Patna’s climb from the lower half of the table into the playoffs.
Navdeep (Best Defender) — 73 tackle points in 21 matches, also in his second season, with six High 5s and eight Super Tackles. He became the first player in PKL history to record four consecutive High 5s in the knockouts.
Both individual season awards going to players from a seventh-placed team is unusual, and says a great deal about how Patna’s postseason run was built.
PKL Winners List (2014 – 2025): All 12 Seasons
| Season | Year | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 2014 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | U Mumba |
| Season 2 | 2015 | U Mumba | Bengaluru Bulls |
| Season 3 | 2016 | Patna Pirates | U Mumba |
| Season 4 | 2016 | Patna Pirates | Jaipur Pink Panthers |
| Season 5 | 2017 | Patna Pirates | Gujarat Giants |
| Season 6 | 2018 | Bengaluru Bulls | Gujarat Giants |
| Season 7 | 2019 | Bengal Warriorz | Dabang Delhi K.C. |
| Season 8 | 2021-22 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Patna Pirates |
| Season 9 | 2022 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Puneri Paltan |
| Season 10 | 2023-24 | Puneri Paltan | Haryana Steelers |
| Season 11 | 2024 | Haryana Steelers | Patna Pirates |
| Season 12 | 2025 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Puneri Paltan |
Titles by franchise
| Franchise | Titles | Seasons won |
|---|---|---|
| Patna Pirates | 3 | S3, S4, S5 |
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | 2 | S8, S12 |
| Jaipur Pink Panthers | 2 | S1, S9 |
| U Mumba | 1 | S2 |
| Bengaluru Bulls | 1 | S6 |
| Bengal Warriorz | 1 | S7 |
| Puneri Paltan | 1 | S10 |
| Haryana Steelers | 1 | S11 |
| Gujarat Giants | 0 | — |
| Tamil Thalaivas | 0 | — |
| Telugu Titans | 0 | — |
| U.P. Yoddhas | 0 | — |
Four franchises have never won the title: Gujarat Giants (runners-up twice, in Seasons 5 and 6), Telugu Titans, Tamil Thalaivas and U.P. Yoddhas.
PKL 2026 Live Streaming: Where to Watch Pro Kabaddi Season 13
The official Season 13 broadcaster and streaming platform have not been announced.
Season 12 was carried on the Star Sports Network on television and JioHotstar for streaming, with free streaming available for selected matches. It is reasonable to expect continuity, but Season 12’s arrangement should not be assumed to carry over automatically to Season 13 — media rights and platform branding have shifted more than once in this league’s history.
Once confirmed, coverage is expected to include live television in India, digital streaming, and highlights through Pro Kabaddi’s official platforms and franchise channels.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| TV broadcaster | To be announced |
| Streaming platform | To be announced |
| Free matches | To be announced |
| Match timings | To be announced |
| International broadcast | To be announced |
Fans outside India should rely only on licensed broadcasters and official streaming partners rather than unauthorised links.
PKL 2026 match timings
Official Season 13 timings have not been released. Once available, the primary start time will be published in Indian Standard Time (IST), with conversions for international fans. As a rough guide, based on the standard PKL evening slot:
| Region | Offset from IST | 8:00 PM IST equals |
|---|---|---|
| India (IST) | — | 8:00 PM |
| Pakistan (PKT) | -30 minutes | 7:30 PM |
| UAE (GST) | -1 hour 30 minutes | 6:30 PM |
| Saudi Arabia (AST) | -2 hours 30 minutes | 5:30 PM |
| UK (BST) | -4 hours 30 minutes | 3:30 PM |
| USA (ET) | -9 hours 30 minutes | 10:30 AM |
These conversions are illustrative. They will be updated against the confirmed match time once announced.
PKL 2026 Tickets
Ticket sales have not opened for Season 13. Venues and match dates remain unannounced, so no authorised ticketing partner has been named.
| Team | Ticket portal |
|---|---|
| Bengal Warriorz | TBA |
| Bengaluru Bulls | TBA |
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | TBA |
| Gujarat Giants | TBA |
| Haryana Steelers | TBA |
| Jaipur Pink Panthers | TBA |
| Patna Pirates | TBA |
| Puneri Paltan | TBA |
| Tamil Thalaivas | TBA |
| Telugu Titans | TBA |
| U Mumba | TBA |
| U.P. Yoddhas | TBA |
When ticketing opens, prices typically vary by stadium, seating section, match day, the teams involved, and whether the fixture is a league match, a playoff or the Final — finals consistently draw the highest demand.
Buy only from the official authorised ticketing partner. Every season brings a wave of fake listings on social media accounts and resale sites, particularly around the playoffs.
How Kabaddi Scoring Works
If you are new to the sport, the basics take about ninety seconds to learn.
Two teams occupy opposite halves of the court. One team sends a raider into the opposition half. The raider tries to touch defenders, or cross the bonus line, and return safely to his own half before being tackled. The defending team tries to stop him. Teams then swap roles and repeat.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Raid point | Scored when a raider legally touches one or more defenders and returns safely. Touching multiple defenders in one raid scores multiple points. |
| Tackle point | Scored by the defending team when they stop the raider — via ankle hold, thigh hold, block, dash or chain tackle. |
| Bonus point | One extra point when an eligible raider crosses the bonus line. It does not revive an eliminated teammate. |
| Super Raid | A raid in which the raider scores three or more points in a single attempt. |
| Super Tackle | A successful tackle by a defending side that has three or fewer players on court at the time. |
| All-Out | When every active player on one team is eliminated. The opposition earns extra points and the eliminated players return. |
| Do-or-Die Raid | After two consecutive empty raids by the same team, the next raider must score or be declared out. |
| High 5 | Five or more tackle points by a defender in a single match. |
| Super 10 | Ten or more raid points by a raider in a single match. |
| Five-raid tie-breaker | Used when teams finish level and a winner is required. Each side gets a limited number of raids; the higher scorer wins. |
| Golden Raid | May decide a match still tied after an earlier tie-break stage. Exact rules depend on that season’s regulations. |
Season 12 used five-raid tie-breakers and Golden Raid deciders — and they mattered. Dabang Delhi reached the Final by winning a 34-34 Qualifier 1 on a 6-4 tie-breaker. The Season 13 competition regulations have not been published, so it is not yet confirmed which of these rules carry forward.
Other Kabaddi Events in 2026
These competitions are separate from the Pro Kabaddi League calendar but affect player availability.
| Event | Dates | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72nd Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship | February 2026 | Vadodara | State and institutional teams, not PKL franchises |
| 20th Asian Games | 19 Sep – 4 Oct 2026 | Aichi & Nagoya, Japan | Kabaddi part of the wider programme; may affect PKL player availability |
| Kabaddi Champions League Haryana | Separate schedule | Haryana | Regional competition, not part of PKL |
The Asian Games is the one to watch. National-team preparation around that September-October window is the most plausible reason the PKL calendar may have shifted later — though, again, the league has not officially said so.
PKL 2026 FAQ
Has the PKL 2026 schedule been announced?
No. The official match-by-match fixture list for Season 13 has not been released. No opening date, host cities, venues or match timings have been confirmed. Any “complete PKL 2026 schedule” circulating now should be checked carefully — some sites are publishing sample or illustrative fixture lists that are not official.
When does PKL 2026 start?
Reports point to mid-December 2026, with the season running into February 2027. This has not been officially confirmed by Pro Kabaddi or Mashal Sports.
When is the PKL Season 13 auction?
Reports place it around mid-October 2026. The official date, venue and player list have not been announced.
How many teams are in PKL 2026?
12. Bengal Warriorz, Bengaluru Bulls, Dabang Delhi K.C., Gujarat Giants, Haryana Steelers, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Patna Pirates, Puneri Paltan, Tamil Thalaivas, Telugu Titans, U Mumba and U.P. Yoddhas. No new franchise has been added and none removed.
Who won PKL Season 12?
Dabang Delhi K.C., beating Puneri Paltan 31-28 in the Final on 31 October 2025 at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, Delhi. It was Delhi’s second PKL title.
Who was the top raider in PKL Season 12?
Ayan Lohchab of Patna Pirates, with 316 raid points in 22 matches, including 16 Super 10s and 9 Super Raids. He won the Best Raider of the Season award in only his second PKL season.
Who was the MVP of PKL Season 12?
Fazel Atrachali of Dabang Delhi K.C., who scored 52 tackle points and made the decisive tackle in the Final. He had been bought for just ₹30 lakh at the auction.
Who was the best defender in PKL Season 12?
Navdeep of Patna Pirates, with 73 tackle points in 21 matches, six High 5s and eight Super Tackles. He became the first player in PKL history to record four consecutive High 5s in the knockouts.
Who was the most expensive player in the PKL 12 auction?
Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh was bought by Gujarat Giants for ₹2.23 crore — the fourth most expensive buy in PKL history, and the first time any player had crossed ₹2 crore in three consecutive seasons.
How many matches were in PKL Season 12?
117 in total — 108 league-stage matches plus a nine-match, eight-team postseason. The Season 13 match total has not been confirmed.
Which team has won the most PKL titles?
Patna Pirates, with three (Seasons 3, 4 and 5). They are also the only franchise ever to successfully defend a PKL title.
Will PKL 2026 use the same playoff format as Season 12?
Not confirmed. Season 12 used an expanded eight-team postseason with Play-ins, a Mini-Qualifier, three Eliminators, two Qualifiers and a Final. It produced a competitive bracket — Patna Pirates reached Eliminator 3 from seventh place — so it may be retained, but Pro Kabaddi has not announced Season 13’s structure.
Where can I watch PKL 2026 live?
The Season 13 broadcaster and streaming platform have not been announced. Season 12 was on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, but that arrangement should not be assumed to carry over.
Why is it called PKL 2026 if the Final is in 2027?
Fans name a season after the year it begins, so PKL 2026 and PKL Season 13 describe the same competition. Because the season is expected to run from December 2026 into February 2027, PKL 2026-27 is also used. The season number is the clearest identifier.
Who are the favourites for PKL 2026?
Too early to say — the auction, retentions, injuries and coaching changes will reshape every squad. Based on Season 12 form, the names attracting early attention are Dabang Delhi K.C. (defending champions), Puneri Paltan (league toppers and runners-up), Bengaluru Bulls (best score difference at +97), Telugu Titans (reached Qualifier 2) and Patna Pirates (three straight knockout wins from seventh). Wait for confirmed squads before predicting anything.
Stay Updated
This page is updated as official Pro Kabaddi announcements are released. The PKL 2026 schedule, auction date, host cities, squads, points table and playoff fixtures will all be published here once confirmed.
For official information, always cross-check with Pro Kabaddi’s own channels.
We are not affiliated with Pro Kabaddi, Mashal Sports or prokabaddi.com.
Last updated: 17 July 2026. All Season 13 dates, formats, broadcast details and auction information are based on current reports and remain unconfirmed by Pro Kabaddi / Mashal Sports.
