PKL Winners List: Every Pro Kabaddi Champion, Runner-up and Final Score (2014-2025)
The PKL winners list tells the story of Indian kabaddi’s professional era, from Jaipur Pink Panthers lifting the first trophy in 2014 to Dabang Delhi K.C. winning on home soil in 2025. Across twelve seasons, eight different franchises have become champions, and one of them, Patna Pirates, has done something no other team has managed: win three titles in a row. This page lists every champion, runner-up and final score, with records, patterns and the story behind each title.
PKL Winners List: Quick Answer
Patna Pirates have won the most PKL titles with three (Seasons 3, 4 and 5). Dabang Delhi K.C. and Jaipur Pink Panthers have two each. U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls, Bengal Warriorz, Puneri Paltan and Haryana Steelers have one each. The most recent champions are Dabang Delhi K.C., who beat Puneri Paltan 31-28 in the Season 12 final on October 31, 2025.
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Seasons completed | 12 |
| Different champions | 8 |
| Most titles | Patna Pirates (3) |
| First champion | Jaipur Pink Panthers (2014) |
| Latest champion | Dabang Delhi K.C. (Season 12, 2025) |
| Only hat-trick | Patna Pirates, Seasons 3 to 5 |
| Most finals played | Patna Pirates (5) |
| Closest final | Season 8: Dabang Delhi K.C. 37-36 Patna Pirates |
| Highest-scoring final | Season 5: Patna Pirates 55-38 Gujarat Fortune Giants |
Key Takeaways
- Eight franchises have won the PKL title in twelve seasons.
- Patna Pirates hold the record with three titles, all won in a row.
- Dabang Delhi K.C. are the reigning champions after their Season 12 win.
- Seven of twelve finals were decided by five points or fewer.
- Four teams are still chasing their first title, including original franchise Telugu Titans.
Complete PKL Winners List: Season 1 to Season 12
Here is every PKL final, with the champion, the runner-up and the final score.
| Season | Year | Champion | Runner-up | Final 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 | 31-28 |
| Season 4 | 2016 | Patna Pirates | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 37-29 |
| Season 5 | 2017 | Patna Pirates | Gujarat Fortune Giants | 55-38 |
| Season 6 | 2018-19 | Bengaluru Bulls | Gujarat Fortune Giants | 38-33 |
| Season 7 | 2019 | Bengal Warriors | Dabang Delhi K.C. | 39-34 |
| Season 8 | 2021-22 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Patna Pirates | 37-36 |
| Season 9 | 2022 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Puneri Paltan | 33-29 |
| Season 10 | 2023-24 | Puneri Paltan | Haryana Steelers | 28-25 |
| Season 11 | 2024 | Haryana Steelers | Patna Pirates | 32-23 |
| Season 12 | 2025 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Puneri Paltan | 31-28 |
| Season 13 | 2026-27 | To be decided | To be decided | Expected early 2027 |
Bengal Warriors now play as Bengal Warriorz, and Gujarat Fortune Giants now play as Gujarat Giants.
PKL Winners List by Number of Titles
| Team | Titles | Runner-up | Finals | Winning Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patna Pirates | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3, 4, 5 |
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8, 12 |
| Jaipur Pink Panthers | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1, 9 |
| U Mumba | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Puneri Paltan | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| Bengaluru Bulls | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Haryana Steelers | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| Bengal Warriorz | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Gujarat Giants | 0 | 2 | 2 | None |
| Telugu Titans | 0 | 0 | 0 | None |
| Tamil Thalaivas | 0 | 0 | 0 | None |
| UP Yoddhas | 0 | 0 | 0 | None |
Gujarat Giants are the only franchise to reach more than one final without winning, losing to Patna in Season 5 and Bengaluru in Season 6. Every current franchise is profiled on our PKL teams page.
Every PKL Final Explained
Season 1 (2014): Jaipur Pink Panthers 35-24 U Mumba
The first season of the professional league ended with Jaipur Pink Panthers beating U Mumba by 11 points. It remains one of the most comfortable final wins in PKL history, and it made Jaipur the league’s first champions.
Season 2 (2015): U Mumba 36-30 Bengaluru Bulls
U Mumba bounced back from their Season 1 final defeat to win the title a year later, beating Bengaluru Bulls by six points. It is still Mumbai’s only championship.
Season 3 (2016): Patna Pirates 31-28 U Mumba
Patna Pirates won their first title in a tight final, denying U Mumba a second straight crown. It was Mumbai’s third final in three seasons.
Season 4 (2016): Patna Pirates 37-29 Jaipur Pink Panthers
Two seasons were played in 2016, and Patna won both. Beating Jaipur in the Season 4 final made them the first team to win back-to-back titles.
Season 5 (2017): Patna Pirates 55-38 Gujarat Fortune Giants
Season 5 expanded the league to 12 teams, and Patna completed a historic hat-trick. Their 55 points remain the highest total ever scored in a PKL final, and the 17-point margin is the biggest winning margin in a final.
Season 6 (2018-19): Bengaluru Bulls 38-33 Gujarat Fortune Giants
Bengaluru Bulls, coached by Randhir Singh Sehrawat, won their first title. Gujarat lost a second straight final.
Season 7 (2019): Bengal Warriors 39-34 Dabang Delhi K.C.
Bengal claimed their first and so far only title by beating Dabang Delhi K.C., who were playing in their first final.
Season 8 (2021-22): Dabang Delhi K.C. 37-36 Patna Pirates
The closest final in PKL history. Delhi won by a single point to claim their first title after a season played in a bio-secure format.
Season 9 (2022): Jaipur Pink Panthers 33-29 Puneri Paltan
Jaipur became the second team to win two titles, eight years after their first.
Season 10 (2023-24): Puneri Paltan 28-25 Haryana Steelers
After losing the Season 9 final, Pune won the title a year later in a low-scoring, defence-dominated final.
Season 11 (2024): Haryana Steelers 32-23 Patna Pirates
Haryana went one better after their Season 10 final defeat, beating Patna to win their first title.
Season 12 (2025): Dabang Delhi K.C. 31-28 Puneri Paltan
Delhi won their second title at Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi, becoming the first home side to win the final since U Mumba in Season 2. Pune had topped the league table but lost both playoff meetings with Delhi. Fazel Atrachali was named Season 12’s Most Valuable Player. Our Dabang Delhi vs Puneri Paltan guide covers that rivalry in detail.
PKL Winners List: Final Records
| Record | Holder | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Highest score in a final | Patna Pirates | 55 points, Season 5 |
| Biggest winning margin | Patna Pirates | 17 points, Season 5 |
| Narrowest winning margin | Dabang Delhi K.C. | 1 point, Season 8 |
| Lowest winning score | Puneri Paltan | 28 points, Season 10 |
| Most consecutive titles | Patna Pirates | 3 (Seasons 3 to 5) |
| Most consecutive finals | U Mumba and Patna Pirates | 3 each |
| Most finals lost | U Mumba, Patna Pirates, Puneri Paltan, Gujarat Giants | 2 each |
| Longest gap between titles | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Season 1 to Season 9 |
More league-wide records are on our PKL records page.
Patterns in the PKL Winners List
Final Defeat Often Comes Before a Title
Losing a final has often been the first step towards winning one. U Mumba lost in Season 1 and won in Season 2. Puneri Paltan lost in Season 9 and won in Season 10. Haryana Steelers lost in Season 10 and won in Season 11. That pattern gives Pune extra hope after their Season 12 final defeat.
| Team | Final Lost | Title Won Next Season |
|---|---|---|
| U Mumba | Season 1 | Season 2 |
| Puneri Paltan | Season 9 | Season 10 |
| Haryana Steelers | Season 10 | Season 11 |
| Puneri Paltan | Season 12 | Season 13: to be decided |
Defending a Title Is Very Hard
Only Patna Pirates have ever successfully defended a PKL title. Every other champion has failed to repeat. Dabang Delhi K.C. will attempt to become only the second team to win back-to-back titles in Season 13.
Table-Toppers Do Not Always Win
Finishing first in the league does not guarantee the title. In Season 12, Puneri Paltan topped the table but lost the final to second-placed Delhi. The playoff format gives teams that peak late a real chance. Our PKL playoffs schedule guide explains how the knockout bracket works.
Different Champions, Competitive League
Eight different franchises have won the title in twelve seasons. In the last seven seasons alone, six different teams have been champions, a sign of how balanced the league has become.
| Era | Seasons | Champions |
|---|---|---|
| Early era | 1 to 5 | Jaipur, U Mumba, Patna (three times) |
| Expansion era | 6 to 8 | Bengaluru, Bengal, Delhi |
| Modern era | 9 to 12 | Jaipur, Puneri, Haryana, Delhi |
PKL Winners List and Award Winners
Beyond the trophy, PKL hands out individual awards each season. The confirmed Season 12 award winners are below.
| Award | Season 12 Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Champions | Dabang Delhi K.C. | – |
| Most Valuable Player | Fazel Atrachali | Dabang Delhi K.C. |
| Raider of the Season | Ayan Lohchab (316 raid points) | Patna Pirates |
| Most tackle points | Navdeep (73) | Patna Pirates |
Who Could Join the PKL Winners List in Season 13?
Four franchises have never won the title: Gujarat Giants, Tamil Thalaivas, Telugu Titans and UP Yoddhas. Of these, Telugu Titans came closest in Season 12, reaching Qualifier 2. Gujarat have hired title-winning coach Randhir Singh Sehrawat, which gives them fresh hope. Among past champions, Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi K.C. start as early favourites, but the auction could change everything. Follow the build-up in our PKL Season 13 auction guide.
| Team | Season 12 Result | Title Chance Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Puneri Paltan | 1st, runners-up | Settled, league-winning core |
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | Champions | Ashu Malik already contracted |
| Telugu Titans | Reached Qualifier 2 | Chasing a first title |
| Bengaluru Bulls | 3rd, best score difference | Strong league-stage team |
| Patna Pirates | Reached Eliminator 3 | League’s top raider and defender |
PKL Final Venues and Format
PKL finals are played at the venue of the last leg of the caravan format, which usually also hosts the playoffs. The Season 12 final was held at Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi, giving the home team a huge crowd advantage. The Season 13 host cities have not been announced, so the final venue is still to be confirmed.
Since Season 12, the postseason has used an expanded eight-team format, with Play-ins, Eliminators, a Mini-Qualifier and two Qualifiers before the final. That format gave seventh-placed Patna Pirates a path to Eliminator 3, and it may continue in Season 13.
How to Read the PKL Winners List
A few details help when comparing champions across eras:
- Seasons 1 to 4 had eight teams, while Season 5 onwards had 12, so later titles meant beating a larger field.
- Two seasons were played in 2016, which is why Seasons 3 and 4 share a year.
- Some seasons span two calendar years, such as Season 6 (2018-19) and Season 10 (2023-24).
- The league points system awards two points for a win, and score difference separates teams level on points.
PKL Winners List: Points Scored in Finals
Adding up every final shows which franchises have delivered most on the biggest stage. Patna Pirates lead by a wide margin, mainly because they have played in five finals.
| Team | Finals | Total Points in Finals | Average per Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patna Pirates | 5 | 182 | 36.4 |
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | 3 | 102 | 34.0 |
| Jaipur Pink Panthers | 3 | 97 | 32.3 |
| U Mumba | 3 | 88 | 29.3 |
| Puneri Paltan | 3 | 85 | 28.3 |
| Gujarat Giants | 2 | 71 | 35.5 |
| Bengaluru Bulls | 2 | 68 | 34.0 |
| Haryana Steelers | 2 | 57 | 28.5 |
| Bengal Warriorz | 1 | 39 | 39.0 |
Final Margins Season by Season
| Season | Winning Margin | Combined Points |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 11 | 59 |
| Season 2 | 6 | 66 |
| Season 3 | 3 | 59 |
| Season 4 | 8 | 66 |
| Season 5 | 17 | 93 |
| Season 6 | 5 | 71 |
| Season 7 | 5 | 73 |
| Season 8 | 1 | 73 |
| Season 9 | 4 | 62 |
| Season 10 | 3 | 53 |
| Season 11 | 9 | 55 |
| Season 12 | 3 | 59 |
The average winning margin across twelve finals is just over six points. Seven of the twelve finals were decided by five points or fewer, which shows how tight PKL title deciders usually are. The Season 10 final had the fewest combined points, a reminder of how often finals turn into defensive battles.
PKL Winners List by State
Champions have come from seven different states and union territories, a sign of how widely kabaddi is played across India.
| State or Territory | Champion Teams | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Bihar | Patna Pirates | 3 |
| Maharashtra | U Mumba, Puneri Paltan | 2 |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 2 |
| Delhi | Dabang Delhi K.C. | 2 |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru Bulls | 1 |
| West Bengal | Bengal Warriorz | 1 |
| Haryana | Haryana Steelers | 1 |
PKL Winners List: Runners-Up
Runners-up often become the next champions, so this list is worth following closely.
| Season | Runner-up | Lost To |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | U Mumba | Jaipur Pink Panthers |
| Season 2 | Bengaluru Bulls | U Mumba |
| Season 3 | U Mumba | Patna Pirates |
| Season 4 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Patna Pirates |
| Season 5 | Gujarat Fortune Giants | Patna Pirates |
| Season 6 | Gujarat Fortune Giants | Bengaluru Bulls |
| Season 7 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Bengal Warriors |
| Season 8 | Patna Pirates | Dabang Delhi K.C. |
| Season 9 | Puneri Paltan | Jaipur Pink Panthers |
| Season 10 | Haryana Steelers | Puneri Paltan |
| Season 11 | Patna Pirates | Haryana Steelers |
| Season 12 | Puneri Paltan | Dabang Delhi K.C. |
Runners-Up Who Became Champions
Six of the eight teams that have lost a final went on to win a title later: U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Dabang Delhi K.C., Puneri Paltan and Haryana Steelers. Only Gujarat Giants and, so far, Patna Pirates after their recent final defeats are still waiting. Dabang Delhi K.C. lost the Season 7 final and then won Season 8, another example of a final defeat turning into a title a year later.
PKL Winners List: Champions by League Era
The Eight-Team Era (Seasons 1 to 4)
With eight teams, the early seasons were short and intense. Jaipur, U Mumba and Patna shared the four titles, and U Mumba reached all of the first three finals.
The Expansion Era (Seasons 5 to 8)
Season 5 added four teams and a much longer season. Patna completed their hat-trick, and then three new champions followed: Bengaluru, Bengal and Delhi.
The Modern Era (Seasons 9 to 12)
Recent seasons have been the most open in league history. Four seasons produced four different champions, and Season 12 introduced the expanded eight-team playoffs.
| Era | Teams in League | Different Champions |
|---|---|---|
| Seasons 1-4 | 8 | 3 |
| Seasons 5-8 | 12 | 4 |
| Seasons 9-12 | 12 | 4 |
How a Team Joins the PKL Winners List
To join the PKL winners list, a team has to get through both the league stage and the playoffs. In Season 12, each team played 18 league matches, and the top eight reached a nine-match postseason. Finishing first or second gave a direct route to Qualifier 1, where the winner went straight to the final.
| Stage | Teams Involved | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Play-in 1 | 5th vs 8th | Winner to Eliminator 1 |
| Play-in 2 | 6th vs 7th | Winner to Eliminator 1 |
| Eliminator 1 | Play-in winners | Winner to Eliminator 2 |
| Mini-Qualifier | 3rd vs 4th | Winner to Eliminator 3, loser to Eliminator 2 |
| Eliminator 2 | Eliminator 1 winner vs Mini-Qualifier loser | Winner to Eliminator 3 |
| Qualifier 1 | 1st vs 2nd | Winner to the final, loser to Qualifier 2 |
| Eliminator 3 | Eliminator 2 winner vs Mini-Qualifier winner | Winner to Qualifier 2 |
| Qualifier 2 | Qualifier 1 loser vs Eliminator 3 winner | Winner to the final |
| Final | Qualifier 1 winner vs Qualifier 2 winner | Champion crowned |
The Latest Entry on the PKL Winners List: Season 12 Paths to the Final
The two Season 12 finalists took very different routes, which shows how the format rewards a strong league stage.
| Round | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Puneri Paltan |
|---|---|---|
| League finish | 2nd (26 points, +38) | 1st (26 points, +88) |
| Qualifier 1 | Beat Puneri Paltan on a tie-breaker | Lost to Dabang Delhi K.C. |
| Qualifier 2 | Not needed | Beat Telugu Titans 50-45 |
| Final | Won 31-28 | Lost 31-28 |
Delhi needed only two playoff wins to become champions. Pune needed three wins and managed two, losing both meetings with Delhi by the narrowest of margins.
PKL Winners List: Facts Fans Often Miss
- Haryana Steelers are the only one of the four Season 5 expansion teams to win the title, which they did in Season 11. Gujarat Giants, Tamil Thalaivas and UP Yoddhas are still waiting.
- Patna Pirates’ three titles came in just two calendar years, 2016 and 2017.
- Jaipur Pink Panthers waited eight seasons between their first and second titles.
- Dabang Delhi K.C. have now won two titles in five seasons, after losing their first final in Season 7.
- Gujarat Giants reached the final in each of their first two seasons but have not returned since.
PKL Winners List: Who Needs a Title Most?
| Team | Seasons in PKL | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Telugu Titans | 12 (since Season 1) | Never reached a final |
| Gujarat Giants | 8 (since Season 5) | Runners-up twice |
| Tamil Thalaivas | 8 (since Season 5) | Never reached a final |
| UP Yoddhas | 8 (since Season 5) | Never reached a final |
Telugu Titans are the only original franchise never to reach a PKL final, which made their Season 12 run to Qualifier 2 especially meaningful for their fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won the most PKL titles?
Patna Pirates have won the most PKL titles, with three in Seasons 3, 4 and 5.
Who won the first PKL title?
Jaipur Pink Panthers won the first PKL title in 2014, beating U Mumba 35-24 in the final.
Who won PKL Season 12?
Dabang Delhi K.C. won Season 12, beating Puneri Paltan 31-28 in the final on October 31, 2025, at Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi.
Who won PKL Season 11?
Haryana Steelers won Season 11, beating Patna Pirates 32-23 in the final. It was their first title.
Has any team won back-to-back PKL titles?
Yes. Patna Pirates are the only team to do it, winning three in a row in Seasons 3, 4 and 5.
What was the closest PKL final?
The Season 8 final, when Dabang Delhi K.C. beat Patna Pirates 37-36.
Which teams have never won the PKL title?
Gujarat Giants, Tamil Thalaivas, Telugu Titans and UP Yoddhas have not yet won the title.
When will the Season 13 winner be decided?
Season 13 is expected to start in late December 2026, with the final expected in early 2027. Official dates have not been announced yet.
How many teams are on the PKL winners list?
Eight different franchises are on the PKL winners list after twelve seasons: Patna Pirates, Dabang Delhi K.C., Jaipur Pink Panthers, U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls, Bengal Warriorz, Puneri Paltan and Haryana Steelers.
Which team has lost the most PKL finals?
Four teams have lost two finals each: U Mumba, Patna Pirates, Puneri Paltan and Gujarat Giants.