PKL Auction 2026: Season 13 Date, Rules, Purse, FBM, Retentions and Records
The PKL auction is where every Pro Kabaddi season really begins. Before a single raid is made, the 12 franchises spend their salary purses, use their Final Bid Match cards and fight over the best raiders, defenders and all-rounders. This hub explains how the auction works, what is known about the Season 13 auction, the rules and categories, the records set in recent years, and links to every auction tracker on this site.
PKL Auction 2026: Quick Status
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Season | PKL Season 13 |
| Reported auction window | October 18-25, 2026 (not officially confirmed) |
| Official retention list | Not yet published |
| Season 12 auction | May 31 and June 1, 2025, Mumbai |
| Season 12 salary purse | INR 5 crore per team |
| Season 12 players sold | 121 of 529 |
| Season 12 total spend | INR 37.90 crore |
| Season 12 top buy | Mohammadreza Shadloui, INR 2.23 crore (Gujarat Giants) |
| Expected season start | Late December 2026 |
Key Takeaways
- The Season 13 auction was reported for October 18-25, 2026, but has not been officially confirmed.
- Each team had an INR 5 crore purse in Season 12.
- Four players are already contracted for Season 13 through two-season FBM deals.
- Season 12 set a record with ten players sold for more than INR 1 crore.
- The 2023 auction was also delayed for the Asian Games, a clear precedent.
Why the PKL Auction Moved to October
Recent PKL auctions were held around the middle of the year. The Season 12 auction, for example, took place on May 31 and June 1, 2025. Season 13 is running later because 2026 has a crowded international kabaddi calendar, including the Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4 and the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in October.
Reports have also pointed to ongoing media rights negotiations. The previous five-season broadcast deal, worth a reported INR 905 crore, covered 2021 to 2025, and talks on the next cycle had not been concluded as of mid-September 2026. The official auction announcement may depend on that process.
| Event | Dates | Effect on the Auction |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya) | September 19 – October 4, 2026 | National team players unavailable |
| Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship | October 2026 | Further international commitments |
| Media rights talks | Ongoing as of September 2026 | Reported factor in the league’s timeline |
| PKL 13 auction | Reported October 18-25, 2026 | Awaiting official confirmation |
How the PKL Auction Works
The PKL auction follows a clear sequence each season. Understanding it makes every announcement easier to follow.
Step 1: Retentions
Before the auction, each franchise decides which players to keep. In Season 12, 83 players were retained across three categories, and Tamil Thalaivas kept the most with 10. Our tracker for PKL 13 retained players will list every Season 13 retention.
Step 2: Releases
Any player not retained is released into the auction pool. Big names often appear here. Before Season 12, Dabang Delhi K.C. did not retain Naveen Kumar, who then joined Haryana Steelers. Follow Season 13 releases on our PKL 13 released players page.
Step 3: Purse Calculation
Retained players’ salaries are deducted from each team’s purse. The remaining money decides how aggressive a team can be. See our PKL 13 auction purse guide for the team-by-team picture.
Step 4: Bidding by Category
Players are called by category, starting with the top stars. Franchises bid from the base price upwards, and the highest bid wins, unless the player’s former team uses a Final Bid Match card.
Step 5: Sold or Unsold
Players who receive a winning bid join that team. Players with no bid go unsold, though they can still be signed later as replacements. Our PKL 13 sold players and PKL 13 unsold players trackers will record every result.
PKL Auction Retention Categories
| Category | Who It Covers | Season 12 Count |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Retained Players (ERP) | Established players a team chooses to keep | 25 |
| Retained Young Players (RYP) | Young players moved on to longer contracts | 23 |
| Existing New Young Players (NYP) | Young players in the second year of a two-year deal | 35 |
| Total | 83 |
Fan rule explainers report that a franchise can keep up to six Elite Retained Players, split across Categories A, B and C. The official Season 13 rules will confirm the limits. For a simple explanation in Hindi, read our guide to retained and released players.
PKL Auction Categories and Base Prices
Domestic and overseas players are split into four categories, and within each category they are grouped as raiders, defenders or all-rounders.
| Category | Season 12 Base Price | Typical Players |
|---|---|---|
| Category A | INR 30 lakh | Top established stars |
| Category B | INR 20 lakh | Proven regular starters |
| Category C | INR 13 lakh | Squad players and emerging talent |
| Category D | INR 9 lakh | Newer and less-proven players |
These base prices have been used for several seasons. The Season 13 figures will be confirmed with the official auction announcement.
The Final Bid Match (FBM) Card
The Final Bid Match card is the most important tactical tool in the PKL auction. When bidding for a player ends, his former team can match the winning bid and keep him. In Season 12, the FBM could be used for one season or two.
| Player | Team | Price | FBM Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashu Malik | Dabang Delhi K.C. | INR 1.90 crore | Two seasons |
| Ankit Jaglan | Patna Pirates | INR 1.573 crore | One season |
| Deepak Singh | Patna Pirates | INR 86 lakh | Two seasons |
| Vijay Malik | Telugu Titans | INR 51.50 lakh | One season |
| Mohd. Amaan | Puneri Paltan | INR 35 lakh | Two seasons |
| Parvesh Bhainswal | U Mumba | INR 25.10 lakh | One season |
| Ghanshyam Roka Magar | Haryana Steelers | INR 13 lakh | Two seasons |
| Nitesh Kumar and Mayur Kadam | Bengal Warriorz | – | One season |
Two-season FBM deals mean some players are already contracted for Season 13: Ashu Malik, Deepak Singh, Mohd. Amaan and Ghanshyam Roka Magar.
PKL Auction History: Season 12 Recap
The Season 12 auction in Mumbai set new records. Ten players crossed INR 1 crore for the first time, and teams spent a total of INR 37.90 crore on 121 players.
Top Buys of the Season 12 PKL Auction
| Player | Role | Team | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammadreza Shadloui | All-rounder | Gujarat Giants | INR 2.23 crore |
| Devank Dalal | Raider | Bengal Warriorz | INR 2.205 crore |
| Ashu Malik | Raider | Dabang Delhi K.C. (FBM) | INR 1.90 crore |
| Ankit Jaglan | All-rounder / defender | Patna Pirates (FBM) | INR 1.573 crore |
| Arjun Deshwal | Raider | Tamil Thalaivas | INR 1.405 crore |
| Naveen Kumar | Raider | Haryana Steelers | INR 1.20 crore |
| Yogesh Dahiya | Defender | Bengaluru Bulls | INR 1.125 crore |
| Guman Singh | Raider | UP Yoddhas | INR 1.073 crore |
| Nitin Kumar Dhankhar | Raider | Jaipur Pink Panthers | INR 1.002 crore |
Season 12 Bargains and Surprises
| Player | Team | Price | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fazel Atrachali | Dabang Delhi K.C. | INR 30 lakh | Base price, then Season 12 MVP |
| Alireza Mirzaeian | Bengaluru Bulls | INR 14 lakh | 197 raid points in 20 matches |
| Maninder Singh | Patna Pirates | INR 20 lakh | All-time great at a low price |
| Pawan Sehrawat | Tamil Thalaivas | INR 59.50 lakh | Nearly unsold before a late bidding war |
| Aanil Mohan | U Mumba | INR 78 lakh | Highest Category D price |
| Pardeep Narwal | – | Unsold | All-time top raider received no bid |
For the full list of biggest deals across seasons, see our ranking of the highest-paid PKL players.
PKL Auction Records Through the Years
| Season | Most Expensive Player | Team | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 11 | Sachin Tanwar | Tamil Thalaivas | INR 2.15 crore |
| Season 12 | Mohammadreza Shadloui | Gujarat Giants | INR 2.23 crore |
| Season 13 | To be decided | – | – |
Mohammadreza Shadloui became the first player to cross INR 2 crore in three consecutive auctions, a sign of how highly franchises value elite all-rounders.
Players Already Tied to Teams for Season 13
Some places in Season 13 squads are already decided by multi-season contracts.
| Team | Player | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | Ashu Malik | Two-season FBM |
| Patna Pirates | Deepak Singh | Two-season FBM |
| Puneri Paltan | Mohd. Amaan | Two-season FBM |
| Haryana Steelers | Ghanshyam Roka Magar | Two-season FBM |
| Telugu Titans | Four New Young Players, including Aryan Dhawale and Himanshu Lather | NYP signings |
| Tamil Thalaivas | Suthil Darshan and Lakshay Suhag | NYPs for Seasons 13 and 14 |
PKL Auction Strategy: What Each Team Needs
Season 12 results give a strong guide to each franchise’s likely approach. Squad details for each team are in our roster guides, such as the Puneri Paltan squad and Tamil Thalaivas squad pages.
| Team | Season 12 Finish | Likely Auction Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Puneri Paltan | 1st, runners-up | Left corner and depth |
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | Champions | Support around Ashu Malik |
| Bengaluru Bulls | 3rd | Indian strike raider |
| Telugu Titans | 4th | Squad depth |
| Haryana Steelers | 5th | Fresh legs, knockout quality |
| U Mumba | 6th | Securing Ajit Chouhan, all-rounder |
| Patna Pirates | 7th | Keeping Ayan Lohchab and Navdeep |
| Jaipur Pink Panthers | 8th | Defensive improvement |
| UP Yoddhas | 9th | Dependable lead raider |
| Tamil Thalaivas | 10th | Star raider decision and depth |
| Gujarat Giants | 11th | New identity under a new coach |
| Bengal Warriorz | 12th | Defensive rebuild |
These focus areas are our analysis based on Season 12, not confirmed team plans.
How Big Has the PKL Auction Become?
The growth of the auction mirrors the growth of the league. Fan histories report a purse of around INR 60 lakh per team in the first season. By Season 12, each team had INR 5 crore, and total spending reached INR 37.90 crore. The league’s audience has grown too, with reports citing a combined TV and digital reach of around 230 million.
| Measure | Season 12 Figure |
|---|---|
| Purse per team | INR 5 crore |
| Total auction spend | INR 37.90 crore |
| Players in the pool | 529 |
| Players sold | 121 |
| Players over INR 1 crore | 10 |
How to Follow the PKL Auction Live
On auction day, the league’s official website and social media accounts post every signing as it happens. Recent auctions have also been broadcast live on TV and streamed online. This site will update each of its trackers throughout the bidding.
| Tracker | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| PKL 13 retained players | Every player each team keeps |
| PKL 13 released players | Every player returning to the pool |
| PKL 13 auction purse | Each team’s remaining money |
| PKL 13 sold players | Every signing with team and price |
| PKL 13 unsold players | Every player without a bid |
Common PKL Auction Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purse | A team’s total salary budget |
| Base price | The minimum opening bid for a player’s category |
| FBM | Final Bid Match: a former team matching the winning bid |
| ERP | Elite Retained Player |
| RYP | Retained Young Player |
| NYP | New Young Player, signed outside the auction on a two-year deal |
| Unsold | A player who received no winning bid |
| Replacement | A player signed during the season to cover injuries |
PKL Auction History by Season
The timing and size of the PKL auction have changed over recent seasons. Comparing them helps explain the Season 13 timeline.
| Season | Auction Dates | Players Retained | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 10 | October 9-10, 2023 | 84 | Moved back a month for the 2023 Asian Games; purse raised to INR 5 crore from INR 4.4 crore |
| Season 11 | August 2024 | 88 (22 ERP, 26 RYP, 40 Existing NYP) | Retentions announced August 6, 2024 |
| Season 12 | May 31 – June 1, 2025 | 83 (25 ERP, 23 RYP, 35 Existing NYP) | Record 10 players over INR 1 crore |
| Season 13 | Reported October 18-25, 2026 | To be announced | Delayed by the 2026 international calendar |
A Familiar Pattern
Season 13 is not the first time the Asian Games have moved the PKL auction. In 2023, the Season 10 auction was pushed from early September to October 9 and 10 so that national team players could prepare for the Asian Games. The Season 13 delay follows the same logic.
PKL Auction Day Format
Recent auctions have run over two days, with the biggest names on the first day.
| Day | Usual Categories | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Category A and B | Star raiders, defenders and overseas players; most crore-plus bids |
| Day 2 | Category C and D | Domestic and young players; faster bidding; most unsold players |
In Season 12, 28 players went up for auction on Day 1 and only two went unsold, while the second day covered most of the remaining pool.
PKL Auction Strategies Teams Use
Retain and Reload
Teams that performed well usually keep their core and spend the remaining purse on two or three targeted signings. Puneri Paltan followed this approach in Season 12 and topped the table.
Release and Rebuild
Teams that struggled often release most of their roster to free up purse space. Bengaluru Bulls kept only four players before Season 12 and finished third.
Release and Match
A team can release a player, let the auction set his price, then use the FBM card to bring him back. U Mumba did this with Parvesh Bhainswal, buying him back for INR 25.10 lakh.
Marquee Signing
Some teams put a large share of their purse into one star. Gujarat Giants did this with Mohammadreza Shadloui and Bengal Warriorz with Devank Dalal.
| Strategy | Season 12 Example | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Retain and reload | Puneri Paltan | Topped the league, reached the final |
| Release and rebuild | Bengaluru Bulls | 3rd, best score difference |
| Release and match | U Mumba (Parvesh Bhainswal) | Kept an experienced defender cheaply |
| Marquee signing | Gujarat Giants, Bengal Warriorz | Both finished in the bottom two |
PKL Auction and New Young Players
Alongside the auction, franchises can sign young players directly on two-year New Young Player contracts. Fan rule explainers report that these players must be young and must not have appeared in a previous PKL auction. NYPs are a cheap way to build for the future, and several Season 12 stars, including Navdeep at Patna, started on NYP deals.
| Team | Season 13 NYP Activity |
|---|---|
| Telugu Titans | Four NYPs signed, including Aryan Dhawale and Himanshu Lather |
| Tamil Thalaivas | Suthil Darshan and Lakshay Suhag signed for Seasons 13 and 14 |
| Other teams | To be announced |
PKL Auction: Coaching Changes Before Season 13
New coaches often reshape a squad at the auction. Three teams have confirmed new head coaches.
| Team | New Head Coach | Likely Auction Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Giants | Randhir Singh Sehrawat | A new squad identity after an 11th-place finish |
| Patna Pirates | Jasveer Singh | Decisions on young stars Ayan Lohchab and Navdeep |
| UP Yoddhas | Upendra Malik | Building around Gagana Gowda |
PKL Auction Categories Explained With Examples
Each category in the PKL auction covers a different level of player. Real Season 12 examples show what each one looks like.
Category A
Category A contains the most established stars, with a base price of INR 30 lakh in Season 12. The very first player called at the Season 12 auction, Mohammadreza Shadloui, came from this group and sold for INR 2.23 crore. Devank Dalal, Ashu Malik and Arjun Deshwal were other headline Category A names.
Category B
Category B players are proven regulars, with a base price of INR 20 lakh. Official auction reports listed raider Naveen Kumar (INR 1.20 crore), Guman Singh (INR 1.073 crore) and Nitin Kumar Dhankhar (INR 1.002 crore) among the big Category B buys, showing that this group can still produce crore-plus deals.
Category C
Category C, with a base price of INR 13 lakh, includes squad players and emerging talent. Many overseas players and depth signings are found here, and several were bought for close to the base price.
Category D
Category D has a base price of INR 9 lakh and is mostly made up of newer players. It also produced one of the biggest surprises of Season 12, when U Mumba paid INR 78 lakh for all-rounder Aanil Mohan.
| Category | Base Price | Season 12 Example | Price Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | INR 30 lakh | Mohammadreza Shadloui | INR 2.23 crore |
| B | INR 20 lakh | Naveen Kumar | INR 1.20 crore |
| D | INR 9 lakh | Aanil Mohan | INR 78 lakh |
What Happens After the PKL Auction
| Step | What Happens | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Squads finalised | Teams publish full rosters | Soon after the auction |
| Training camps | Teams prepare for the season | Usually about a month or more |
| Captains named | Franchises announce leaders | Before the season |
| Schedule release | Fixtures and venues confirmed | Before the season |
| Season opener | First match | Expected late December 2026 |
Once squads are confirmed, every team’s roster will be updated in our squad guides, such as the U Mumba squad and Patna Pirates squad pages.
PKL Auction Mistakes Teams Try to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Hurts |
|---|---|
| Spending too much too early | No money left for key defenders later |
| Ignoring squad balance | Too many raiders, not enough corners |
| Forgetting minimum squad size | Every slot costs at least the base price |
| Losing control in bidding wars | Rivals can push prices up to drain a purse |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the PKL 13 auction?
The Season 13 auction was reported for October 18 to 25, 2026, but Mashal Sports has not officially confirmed the date or released results. This page will be updated when it does.
What is the PKL auction purse?
In Season 12, each team had a total salary purse of INR 5 crore. The Season 13 figure has not been confirmed.
Who was the most expensive player at the last PKL auction?
Mohammadreza Shadloui, bought by Gujarat Giants for INR 2.23 crore at the Season 12 auction.
What is the FBM card in PKL?
The Final Bid Match card lets a team keep one of its former players by matching the winning bid at the auction.
How many players were sold at the Season 12 auction?
121 of the 529 players in the pool were sold, for a total of INR 37.90 crore.
What are the PKL auction base prices?
In Season 12, base prices were INR 30 lakh (Category A), INR 20 lakh (B), INR 13 lakh (C) and INR 9 lakh (D).
Why was the PKL 13 auction delayed?
Reports point to the busy international calendar, including the Asian Games and Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship, and to ongoing media rights negotiations.
Which players are already contracted for Season 13?
Players kept with two-season FBM deals at the Season 12 auction are contracted for Season 13. They include Ashu Malik (Dabang Delhi K.C.), Deepak Singh (Patna Pirates), Mohd. Amaan (Puneri Paltan) and Ghanshyam Roka Magar (Haryana Steelers).
Can a team spend more than its purse?
No. The purse works as a salary cap for the whole squad, including retained players, so teams can only bid with the money they have left.