PKL Schedule 2026: Pro Kabaddi Season 13 Fixtures, Start Date and Latest Updates
Pro Kabaddi League returns in 2026 for its 13th season, with the same 12 franchises, a summer mega auction, and a caravan-format league stage across Indian cities. This page is the central hub for the PKL Schedule 2026 covering the expected fixture timeline, all 12 teams, the auction, the points system, and the complete history of every champion since 2014. Whether you’re searching for “PKL schedule 2025” or “PKL schedule 2026,” Season 13 is the tournament in question the confusion comes from PKL seasons running across two calendar years, a pattern explained below.
Once Mashal Sports confirms official fixtures, this page along with every individual team schedule page on this site will be updated immediately.
Quick Facts: PKL Season 13 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Pro Kabaddi League Season 13 (2026) |
| Expected Start | Late 2026 (exact dates TBC by Mashal Sports) |
| Auction | Expected July–August 2026 |
| Teams | 12 franchises |
| Defending Champions | Dabang Delhi K.C. (beat Puneri Paltan 31-28 in the Season 12 final) |
| Format | Round-robin league stage + expanded 8-team playoffs |
| Match Format | Two 20-minute halves, 5-minute break |
| Organiser | Mashal Sports (founded by Anand Mahindra and Charu Sharma, 2014) |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| Points System | Win = 5, Tie = 3, Narrow Loss (under 7) = 1, Heavy Loss (7+) = 0 |
| League Founded | 2014 (Season 1 winner: Jaipur Pink Panthers) |
Why Fans Search Both “PKL Schedule 2025” and “PKL Schedule 2026”
Pro Kabaddi seasons routinely span two calendar years Season 12, for example, ran from August 2025 into early 2026, which is why it’s sometimes labelled “2025-26.” Season 13 is expected to open in late 2026 and could run into early 2027, so it may end up referred to as both “PKL 2026” and “PKL 2026-27” depending on the source. On this site, PKL Schedule 2026 refers specifically to Season 13 the season currently being built through retentions, the auction, and the fixture announcement.
PKL Season 13 Schedule: Dates and Timeline
The official schedule has not yet been confirmed by Mashal Sports. Based on the league’s usual planning cycle and reports around auction and franchise activity, here is the expected timeline for Season 13:
| Event | Expected Window |
|---|---|
| PKL 13 Auction | July–August 2026 (unconfirmed) |
| Season Opener | December 2026 (expected) |
| League Stage | December 2026 – February 2027 (projected) |
| Playoffs and Final | March 2027 (projected) |
Fans should treat these dates as estimates rather than confirmed fixtures until Mashal Sports makes it official. PKL has traditionally followed a caravan format, where all 12 teams travel to a handful of host cities for multi-week legs rather than playing true home-and-away matches. Once the official schedule drops, city-wise fixture lists and match timings are expected to follow a pattern similar to Season 12, where matches were split across Vizag, Jaipur, Chennai, and Delhi.
PKL Season 13 Auction: What to Expect
The auction is expected between July and August 2026, and it will shape the season before a single match is played. Two rules define how squads are built heading into it:
- Final Bid Match (FBM): Franchises can buy back released players by matching the highest bid placed on them, for one or two seasons.
- New Young Players (NYP): Emerging domestic talent can be signed outside the auction window, giving teams development rights without a bidding war.
Auction Spend: How Fast It’s Grown
| Season | Auction Spend | Players |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | ~INR 60 lakh per team | |
| Season 12 | INR 37.90 crore | 121 players |
The Season 12 auction set a record with INR 37.90 crore spent across two days for 121 players a sharp jump from the league’s Season 1 purse of just INR 60 lakh per team. The single most expensive player in Season 12 was Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, bought by Gujarat Giants for INR 2.23 crore.
Early Season 13 Auction Activity
Several franchises have already been active ahead of the official window:
- Telugu Titans signed four NYPs, including Aryan Dhawale and Himanshu Lather
- Tamil Thalaivas recruited Suthil Darshan and Lakshay Suhag as NYPs for Seasons 13 and 14
- Gujarat Giants appointed Randhir Singh Sehrawat as head coach
- Patna Pirates and UP Yoddhas have also overhauled their coaching setups
All 12 PKL Teams for Season 13
The same 12 franchises return for Season 13. Squads will be reshuffled at the 2026 auction, but the core franchise list stays unchanged.
| Team | Home City | PKL Titles | Season 12 Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patna Pirates | Patna | 4 | Playoffs |
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | Delhi | 2 | Champions |
| Jaipur Pink Panthers | Jaipur | 2 | League stage |
| Puneri Paltan | Pune | 1 | Runners-up |
| U Mumba | Mumbai | 1 | League stage |
| Bengaluru Bulls | Bengaluru | 1 | League stage |
| Bengal Warriorz | Kolkata | 1 | League stage |
| Haryana Steelers | Haryana | 1 | Playoffs |
| Telugu Titans | Hyderabad | 0 | League stage |
| Tamil Thalaivas | Chennai | 0 | League stage |
| Gujarat Giants | Ahmedabad | 0 | League stage |
| UP Yoddhas | Lucknow | 0 | League stage |
Dabang Delhi K.C. enters as defending champions after beating Puneri Paltan 31-28 in the Season 12 final, becoming the first home side to win the title since U Mumba in Season 2. Fazel Atrachali was named Most Valuable Player of the season, while Ayan Lohchab of Patna Pirates finished as Raider of the Season with 316 raid points.
Rules and Format of PKL Season 13
Pro Kabaddi League matches follow traditional kabaddi rules adapted for television, keeping each contest fast, structured, and easy to follow.
- Each match runs 40 minutes, split into two 20-minute halves
- Seven players take the court per side, with up to five substitutes
- The league stage follows a double round-robin format across multiple city legs
- Matchdays often feature “Triple Panga” evenings, with three back-to-back fixtures
Points System
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Win | 5 |
| Tie | 3 |
| Narrow Loss (under 7 points) | 1 |
| Heavy Loss (7 or more points) | 0 |
Season 12 introduced an expanded playoff format with eight teams reaching the second stage instead of the traditional six, with the top two league finishers advancing straight to Qualifier 1. Season 13 is expected to carry forward this same expanded structure.
Every PKL Champion: Season 1 to Season 12
From Jaipur’s inaugural crown in 2014 to Delhi’s home-soil triumph in Season 12 twelve seasons of kabaddi history.
| Season | Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 2014 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | U Mumba | 35–24 |
| Season 2 | 2015 | U Mumba | Bengaluru Bulls | 36–30 |
| Season 3 | 2016 | Patna Pirates | U Mumba | 37–29 |
| Season 4 | 2016 | Patna Pirates | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 55–38 |
| Season 5 | 2017 | Bengaluru Bulls | Gujarat Fortune Giants | 38–33 |
| Season 7 | 2019-20 | Bengal Warriors | Dabang Delhi K.C. | 39–34 |
| Season 8 | 2021 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Patna Pirates | 37–36 |
| Season 9 | 2022 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Puneri Paltan | 33–29 |
| Season 10 | 2023 | Puneri Paltan | Haryana Steelers | 28–25 |
| Season 11 | 2024 | Patna Pirates | Haryana Steelers | 29–24 |
| Season 12 | 2025-26 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Puneri Paltan | 31–28 |
Titles by Franchise
| Franchise | Titles |
|---|---|
| Patna Pirates | 4 |
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | 2 |
| Jaipur Pink Panthers | 2 |
| Puneri Paltan | 1 |
| U Mumba | 1 |
| Bengaluru Bulls | 1 |
| Bengal Warriors | 1 |
| Haryana Steelers | 1 |
Only Patna Pirates have ever defended a PKL crown, winning three straight titles across Seasons 3, 4, and 5 a record that puts Dabang Delhi K.C.’s Season 13 title defence in perspective.
All-Time PKL Records
Top Raiders All Time
| # | Player | Matches | Raid Points | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pardeep Narwal | 190 | 1801 | 9.48 |
| 2 | Maninder Singh | 165 | 1568 | 9.5 |
| 3 | Arjun Deshwal | 132 | 1383 | 10.48 |
| 4 | Pawan Kumar Sehrawat | 142 | 1340 | 9.44 |
| 5 | Naveen Kumar | 111 | 1120 | 10.09 |
| 6 | Sachin Tanwar | 157 | 1058 | 6.74 |
| 7 | Rahul Chaudhari | 154 | 1045 | 6.79 |
| 8 | Deepak Niwas Hooda | 157 | 1020 | 6.5 |
| 9 | Ashu Malik | 105 | 882 | 8.4 |
| 10 | Bharat Hooda | 108 | 829 | 7.68 |
Top Defenders All Time
| # | Player | Role | Tackle Points | High 5s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fazel Atrachali | Left Corner | 597 | 50+ |
| 2 | Surjeet Singh | Right Corner | 461 | 37 |
| 3 | Sunil Kumar | Left Corner | 434 | 33 |
| 4 | Nitesh Kumar | Right Corner | 402 | 35 |
| 5 | Ravinder Pahal | Left Corner | 390 | 30+ |
| 6 | Vishal Bhardwaj | Left Cover | 380 | 30+ |
| 7 | Rinku Narwal | Right Corner | 368 | 28 |
| 8 | Girish M. Ernak | Left Corner | 360 | 27 |
| 9 | Parvesh Bhainswal | Right Corner | 355 | 30+ |
| 10 | Sandeep Dhull | Left Corner | 345 | 28 |
Most Super 10s
| # | Player | Matches | Super 10s | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pardeep Narwal | 190 | 88 | 1 in 2.2 |
| 2 | Maninder Singh | 165 | 80 | 1 in 2.1 |
| 3 | Arjun Deshwal | 132 | 74 | 1 in 1.8 |
| 4 | Pawan Sehrawat | 142 | 70 | 1 in 2.0 |
| 5 | Naveen Kumar | 111 | 66 | 1 in 1.7 |
| 6 | Ashu Malik | 105 | 46 | 1 in 2.3 |
| 7 | Rahul Chaudhari | 154 | 42 | 1 in 3.7 |
| 8 | Bharat Hooda | 108 | 39 | 1 in 2.8 |
Team Records
| Record | Team | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Most Titles | Patna Pirates | 4 (Seasons 3, 4, 5, 11) |
| Most Matches Played | Patna Pirates | 251 matches |
| Most Wins | Patna Pirates | 133 wins (52.98% win rate) |
| Longest Winning Streak | U Mumba | 11 consecutive wins (Season 3) |
| Most All-Outs Inflicted (Season) | Puneri Paltan | Season 10 |
| First Home-Soil Winner (since S2) | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Won S12 final at Thyagaraj, Delhi |
| Highest Match Score | Bengaluru Bulls | 64 points vs UP Yoddha (Season 5) |
Storylines to Watch in Season 13
Can Dabang Delhi defend the title? Only Patna Pirates have ever defended a PKL crown, winning three straight titles across Seasons 3, 4, and 5. Dabang Delhi now carries that same pressure, and keeping the core trio of Ashu Malik, Neeraj Narwal, and Fazel Atrachali together through an aggressive auction will be key.
Tamil Thalaivas rebuild. Despite fielding Pawan Sehrawat and Arjun Deshwal, the Thalaivas won just 6 of 18 matches last season and released their own captain mid-season. How they approach the Season 13 auction and new coaching structure will decide whether this is a genuine turnaround full details on their Season 12 campaign and Season 13 outlook are covered on their dedicated schedule page.
Rise of the NYP generation. With multiple franchises investing heavily in young players before the auction even opens, Season 13 could introduce the league’s next wave of breakout raiders and defenders.
How Popular Is Pro Kabaddi League?
Pro Kabaddi League has grown into one of India’s most-watched sports properties outside cricket. The league reached 226 million viewers in its most recent full season, with about 70% of that audience under the age of 40 and women making up 44% of viewers reflecting kabaddi’s appeal across age groups and genders.
This popularity spans well beyond kabaddi’s traditional rural strongholds. Matches are broadcast in Hindi, English, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada, helping the league build a genuinely national audience across both Hindi-speaking states and southern India. Stadiums regularly sell out for rivalry fixtures and playoff matches, and the caravan format lets fans in different host cities experience live PKL action each season.
Why PKL Matters Beyond the Scoreline
Pro Kabaddi League gave kabaddi a sport rooted in Indian villages for centuries a professional, televised platform comparable to cricket’s IPL. The league created full-time careers for players who previously had few options to compete professionally, with top raiders now earning between INR 10 lakh and over INR 2 crore per season.
PKL Season 13 also carries growing significance internationally. The league has been exploring matches outside India, including plans for a kabaddi showcase in Melbourne a signal of kabaddi’s ambitions on the global sporting stage while continuing to strengthen its base at home.
Where to Watch PKL Season 13
| Platform | Access |
|---|---|
| Star Sports Network | Live TV broadcast |
| JioHotstar | Live streaming free for select matches |
Broadcast details for Season 13 have not been officially confirmed but are expected to follow the same Star Sports and JioHotstar arrangement used in Season 12.
Bengal Warriorz
Bengal Warriorz finished at the bottom of the Season 12 standings with six wins from 18 league matches. Although they produced several competitive performances, inconsistency in both raiding and defence kept them out of playoff contention. Their Season 13 preparations may focus on building a more dependable starting seven and reducing reliance on individual performances, likely priorities include a consistent lead raider, better defensive coordination, stronger corner combinations and greater leadership on the mat.
Bengaluru Bulls
Bengaluru Bulls were one of the strongest league-stage teams in Season 12, finishing third with 11 wins from 18 matches and an impressive score difference of +97. However, their postseason campaign ended after losses to Telugu Titans and Patna Pirates. Season 13 offers them another chance to turn strong league form into a championship challenge, likely through retaining their strongest performers and improving knockout-stage execution.
Dabang Delhi K.C.
Dabang Delhi K.C. begin Season 13 as defending champions after beating Puneri Paltan 31-28 in the Season 12 Final, their second PKL title. They finished second in the league table with 13 wins, level on points with Puneri Paltan but behind on score difference, before winning a tie-breaker in Qualifier 1 to reach the Final directly. Defending a title is difficult, Delhi will need to manage player retention, auction competition and the extra pressure that comes with being the team every opponent studies closely.
Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants finished 11th in the Season 12 league table with six wins from 18 matches and a negative score difference. They showed they could compete in individual matches but struggled for consistency across the season. Season 13 may require a clearer tactical identity, a reliable first-choice raider and stronger defensive partnerships.
Haryana Steelers
Haryana Steelers entered Season 12 as defending champions after winning their first title in Season 11. They remained competitive, finishing fifth with 10 wins from 18 matches, before their postseason journey ended in Play-in 1 against Jaipur Pink Panthers. Their recent championship experience means they already understand what’s required to compete at the highest level, and they may look to improve their performance in elimination games.
Jaipur Pink Panthers
Jaipur Pink Panthers finished eighth in the league table and reached the postseason, defeating Haryana Steelers 30-27 in Play-in 1 before losing 48-32 to Patna Pirates in Eliminator 1. One of the league’s most recognisable franchises, Jaipur may focus on a more consistent league record and reducing dependence on a small number of key players.
Patna Pirates
Patna Pirates entered the Season 12 postseason from seventh place and produced one of the most impressive knockout runs in the league, beating U Mumba, Jaipur Pink Panthers and Bengaluru Bulls before losing to Telugu Titans in Eliminator 3. One of the most successful franchises in PKL history, Patna will likely aim to carry that postseason momentum into stronger league-stage consistency.
Puneri Paltan
Puneri Paltan finished first in the Season 12 league table with 13 wins and a league-best score difference of +88, then reached the Final by beating Telugu Titans 50-45 in Qualifier 2, only to lose the championship 31-28 to Dabang Delhi K.C. The narrow defeat leaves them with unfinished business, and their priority will be keeping the league-winning core together for another deep playoff run.
Tamil Thalaivas
Tamil Thalaivas finished with six wins from 18 league matches in Season 12 and were unable to build enough consistency to reach the postseason. Season 13 may become an important rebuilding year, with more reliable raiding points, stronger defensive combinations and greater squad depth likely priorities.
Telugu Titans
Telugu Titans were one of the strongest postseason performers in Season 12, finishing fourth in the league before beating Bengaluru Bulls and Patna Pirates in the knockouts, and coming within one match of the Final after losing Qualifier 2 to Puneri Paltan. They enter Season 13 with genuine championship potential and will look to add depth while preserving what worked.
U Mumba
U Mumba finished sixth in the Season 12 league table with 10 wins from 18 matches, qualifying for the Play-ins before losing to Patna Pirates. A franchise with real championship history, U Mumba may look for greater consistency in high-pressure fixtures and improved attacking support.
UP Yoddhas
UP Yoddhas finished ninth in the Season 12 standings with seven wins from 18 matches, not enough to reach the postseason. Season 13 gives them an opportunity to rebuild around a more dependable lead raider, stronger defensive coordination and better closing-game decisions.
The Final
The Season 12 Final was played on October 31, 2025 at Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi. Dabang Delhi K.C. beat Puneri Paltan 31-28 in a close contest, built on strong defensive discipline, controlled raiding and experience in tight matches, qualities that had already been on display during their tie-break win over the same opponent in Qualifier 1. The result gave Dabang Delhi their second PKL title and left Puneri Paltan, who topped the league table and won 13 matches with a +88 score difference, as runners-up for the season despite an otherwise dominant campaign.
Season 12 vs Season 13, At a Glance
| Detail | Season 12 | Season 13 |
| Main year | 2025 | Expected 2026-27 |
| Opening date | August 29, 2025 | Reported mid-December 2026 |
| Final date | October 31, 2025 | Expected February 2027 |
| Participating teams | 12 | 12 expected |
| League matches | 108 | Not announced |
| Postseason matches | 9 | Not announced |
| Total matches | 117 | Not announced |
| Champion | Dabang Delhi K.C. | To be decided |
| Runner-up | Puneri Paltan | To be decided |
| Venue legs | Vizag, Jaipur, Chennai, Delhi | To be announced |
| Playoff format | Eight-team expanded postseason | Not announced |
A 108-match league stage is possible again if the same 12 teams and scheduling model return, though no match total has been confirmed. The eight-team expanded playoff format gave more franchises a genuine chance to compete for the title in Season 12, Patna Pirates’ run from seventh place is the clearest example, so the organisers may retain the structure, or revise it based on scheduling requirements. Five-raid tie-breakers and Golden Raid deciders were also used in Season 12 and may continue, though the official Season 13 competition regulations are still pending. Likewise, the four-city format used last season reached fans in different regions and gave selected teams home support, and a similar multi-city model could return for Season 13, though the specific host cities remain unannounced.
Sample Illustrative Schedule (Not Official)
The table below is a hypothetical, illustrative example only, built to show what a Season 13 fixture list could look like once released. None of these dates, cities, venues or matchups are confirmed or official. Always check Pro Kabaddi’s official channels before relying on any schedule.
Sample Key Dates
| Milestone | Sample date (illustrative) |
| Player auction | October 18-19, 2026 |
| Squad announcements | November 15, 2026 |
| Season opener | December 12, 2026 |
| Leg 1, Vizag | December 12-24, 2026 |
| Leg 2, Jaipur | December 26, 2026 – January 8, 2027 |
| Leg 3, Chennai | January 10-23, 2027 |
| Leg 4, Delhi (incl. playoffs) | January 25 – February 14, 2027 |
| Play-ins | February 6-7, 2027 |
| Eliminators / Mini-Qualifier | February 8-10, 2027 |
| Qualifiers 1 & 2 | February 11-12, 2027 |
| Grand Final | February 14, 2027 |
Sample Opening-Week Fixtures
| Match | Date | Teams | Venue |
| Match 1 | Dec 12, 2026 | Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Puneri Paltan | Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag |
| Match 2 | Dec 12, 2026 | Bengaluru Bulls vs Telugu Titans | Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag |
| Match 3 | Dec 13, 2026 | Patna Pirates vs U Mumba | Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag |
| Match 4 | Dec 13, 2026 | Haryana Steelers vs UP Yoddhas | Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag |
| Match 5 | Dec 14, 2026 | Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Gujarat Giants | Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag |
| Match 6 | Dec 14, 2026 | Tamil Thalaivas vs Bengal Warriorz | Vishwanadh Sports Club, Vizag |
Sample Playoff Bracket
| Stage | Sample date | Sample fixture |
| Play-in 1 | Feb 6, 2027 | 5th place vs 8th place |
| Play-in 2 | Feb 7, 2027 | 6th place vs 7th place |
| Eliminator 1 | Feb 8, 2027 | Play-in 1 winner vs Play-in 2 winner |
| Mini-Qualifier | Feb 9, 2027 | 3rd place vs 4th place |
| Eliminator 2 | Feb 10, 2027 | Eliminator 1 winner vs Mini-Qualifier loser |
| Qualifier 1 | Feb 11, 2027 | 1st place vs 2nd place |
| Eliminator 3 | Feb 12, 2027 | Eliminator 2 winner vs Mini-Qualifier winner |
| Qualifier 2 | Feb 13, 2027 | Qualifier 1 loser vs Eliminator 3 winner |
| Grand Final | Feb 14, 2027 | Qualifier 1 winner vs Qualifier 2 winner |
This sample simply mirrors the Season 12 format (four city legs, an eight-team expanded playoff) mapped onto the reported Season 13 window. The real structure, including whether this playoff format is even reused, will only be confirmed in the official announcement.
Match Timings and Where to Watch
Official Season 13 match timings have not been released. Once available, the primary starting time will be shown in Indian Standard Time (IST), with conversions for fans elsewhere. As a guide, Pakistan Standard Time runs about 30 minutes behind IST, so an 8:00 PM IST match would begin around 7:30 PM in Pakistan. Arabia Standard Time runs about two-and-a-half hours behind IST, making an 8:00 PM IST start roughly 5:30 PM in Saudi Arabia, while Gulf Standard Time (UAE) runs about 90 minutes behind IST, putting the same match at around 6:30 PM locally. These conversions will be based on the confirmed match time once it is announced, not on an estimated schedule.
The official Season 13 television broadcaster and streaming platform have not been announced, and Season 12’s broadcast arrangement should not automatically be assumed to carry over. Once confirmed, coverage is expected to include live television in India, digital streaming, and highlights through Pro Kabaddi’s official platforms and franchise channels. Fans outside India should rely only on licensed broadcasters and official streaming partners rather than unauthorised links.
Tickets
Ticket sales have not opened, since Season 13 venues and match dates remain unannounced. Once ticketing begins, prices are likely to vary by stadium, seating section, match day, the teams playing, and whether the fixture is a league match, playoff match or the Final, which typically draws greater demand than an ordinary league game. Fans should wait for the official authorised ticketing partner rather than buying from unofficial sellers or social-media accounts.
How Kabaddi Scoring Works
For fans following the schedule who are newer to the sport, a basic understanding of scoring makes every fixture easier to follow. Two teams compete on opposite halves of the court. One team sends a raider into the opponent’s half, who attempts to score by touching defenders, crossing the bonus line, and returning safely to their own half before being tackled. The defending team tries to stop the raider before that happens. Teams alternate between raiding and defending.
| Term | Meaning |
| Raid point | Earned when a raider legally touches one or more defenders and returns safely; multiple defenders touched in one raid earn multiple points. |
| Tackle point | Earned by the defending team when they stop the raider, using techniques such as an ankle hold, thigh hold, block, dash or chain tackle. |
| Bonus point | One extra point earned when an eligible raider crosses the bonus line; it does not revive an eliminated teammate. |
| Super Raid | A raid in which the raider scores at least three points in a single attempt. |
| Super Tackle | A tackle completed successfully by a defending side that has three or fewer players on court at the time. |
| All-Out | Occurs when every active player on one team has been eliminated; the opposing side earns extra points and the eliminated players return to the court. |
| Do-or-Die Raid | After two consecutive empty raids by the same team, the next raid becomes a Do-or-Die Raid, the raider must score, or they are declared out. |
| Five-raid tie-breaker | Used when two teams finish level and a winner is required; each side gets a limited number of raids, and the higher-scoring team wins. |
| Golden Raid | May decide a match if teams remain tied after an earlier tie-break stage; exact rules depend on the competition regulations for that season. |
Other Kabaddi Events in 2026
Pro Kabaddi League is not the only major kabaddi competition taking place during 2026, and these events are separate from the PKL calendar. The 72nd Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship took place in Vadodara in February 2026, featuring state and institutional teams rather than PKL franchises, and gave leading domestic players a chance to perform before later national and professional commitments. The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026, with kabaddi part of the wider Asian sporting programme, national-team preparation around this event may affect the availability of players who also compete in PKL. Regional competitions such as Kabaddi Champions League Haryana run on their own separate schedules and are not part of the Pro Kabaddi League.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the PKL Schedule 2026 been announced?
No. The official daily fixture list has not been announced, and there is currently no confirmed information about which teams will play the opening match or where the first leg will be held. Any complete fixture table circulating before an official release should be checked carefully against a reliable source.
When will the official fixtures be released?
The official fixture list is likely to arrive closer to the player auction or after final team squads are confirmed. Before publishing a complete schedule, organisers typically need to confirm the opening date, host cities and stadium availability, daily match capacity, broadcasting times, the league-stage structure, and the playoff and Final dates.
Why is it called PKL 2026 if the Final may take place in 2027?
Fans usually refer to a season by the year in which it starts, so PKL 2026 and PKL Season 13 describe the same competition. Since the season is expected to run from December 2026 into February 2027, PKL 2026-27 is also used as a more complete description of the tournament period.
Will Season 13 use the same 12 teams and playoff format as Season 12?
All 12 existing franchises are expected to return, and the eight-team expanded playoff format used in Season 12, Play-ins, Eliminators, Qualifiers and the Final, is one possible structure for Season 13, since it produced a competitive postseason. Neither point has been officially confirmed yet.
Who are the favourites to win PKL Season 13?
It’s too early to name a clear favourite, the player auction, retention decisions, injuries and coaching changes could significantly affect every team. Based on Season 12, Dabang Delhi K.C. (defending champions with recent title-winning experience), Puneri Paltan (league leaders and Season 12 runners-up), Bengaluru Bulls (best league-stage score difference), Telugu Titans (reached Qualifier 2) and Patna Pirates (strong postseason run from seventh place) are among the franchises likely to attract early attention. Final predictions should wait until Season 13 squads and fixtures are confirmed.