PKL 13 Auction Date: Latest Update, Reasons for the Delay and What Happens Next
The PKL 13 auction date is the most searched Pro Kabaddi question of the off-season, and the answer has kept changing. Recent auctions were held in the middle of the year, but Season 13 has been pushed back by a crowded international calendar and ongoing media rights talks. Reports pointed to October 18 to 25, 2026, yet that window has now passed without an official announcement from the league. This page explains what is confirmed, what is only reported, why the delay happened and what fans should watch for next.
PKL 13 Auction Date: Latest Update
| Question | Current Answer |
|---|---|
| Has the PKL 13 auction date been officially announced? | No |
| Reported window | October 18 to 25, 2026 (from media reports in August 2026) |
| Did the reported window pass? | Yes, with no official auction announcement found |
| Retention list published? | Not yet |
| Expected season start | Late December 2026 (reported) |
| Main reasons for the delay | Asian Games, Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship, media rights negotiations |
| Official source to watch | Pro Kabaddi League website and official social channels |
Key Takeaways
- No official PKL 13 auction date has been announced by the league.
- Media reports in August 2026 pointed to October 18 to 25, but that window has passed.
- The international calendar and media rights talks are the main reported causes of the delay.
- A delayed auction would likely push the season start later as well.
Where the October 18-25 PKL 13 Auction Date Came From
In early August 2026, several kabaddi news outlets reported, citing unnamed sources, that the PKL 13 auction was likely to take place between October 18 and 25, 2026. The same reports suggested that teams would hold training camps after the auction and that Season 13 could begin around late December, with some reports naming December 25, 26 or 27 as possible opening dates.
Every one of those reports made the same point: the dates were source-based and subject to change until the league confirmed them. As of October 26, 2026, no official confirmation has been found, and the reported window has passed.
| Date | What Was Reported | Status |
|---|---|---|
| August 6-7, 2026 | PKL 13 auction likely October 18-25 | Unconfirmed report |
| August 13, 2026 | Season 13 likely to start in late December | Unconfirmed report |
| September 18, 2026 | Media rights talks still ongoing | Reported |
| October 18-25, 2026 | Reported auction window | Passed without official announcement |
Why the PKL 13 Auction Date Was Delayed
Reason 1: The Asian Games
The 20th Asian Games were held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026, with kabaddi on the programme. Many of India’s best players are also PKL stars, so the league avoids clashing with their national duty.
Reason 2: The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship
The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship followed in October 2026, adding more international commitments for players and officials.
Reason 3: Media Rights Negotiations
The league’s previous media rights deal, reported at about INR 905 crore for five seasons from 2021 to 2025, has ended. Reports in September 2026 said talks on the next deal had not been concluded, and some suggested the official Season 13 announcement could follow once the rights issue is resolved. Since the broadcaster helps shape schedules and match timings, this is a significant factor.
| Reason | Dates or Status | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Games | September 19 – October 4, 2026 | National team players unavailable |
| Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship | October 2026 | More international commitments |
| Media rights talks | Ongoing as of September 2026 | Reported link to the Season 13 announcement |
Our PKL live streaming guide covers the media rights situation in more detail.
Has This Happened Before?
Yes. The PKL auction has been moved for international events before. In 2023, the Season 10 auction was pushed back from early September to October 9 and 10 so that players could prepare for that year’s Asian Games. The Season 13 delay follows the same pattern, but on a longer timeline.
| Season | Auction Dates | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Season 10 | October 9-10, 2023 | Moved back a month for the 2023 Asian Games |
| Season 11 | August 2024 | Retentions announced August 6, 2024 |
| Season 12 | May 31 – June 1, 2025 | Held in Mumbai |
| Season 13 | Not confirmed | Reported October 18-25, 2026; window passed |
What Has to Happen Before the PKL 13 Auction
Every PKL auction follows the same sequence. Watching for these steps is the best way to predict when the auction will finally take place.
Step 1: Official Announcement
The league announces the auction dates and venue.
Step 2: Retention List
Franchises confirm their Elite Retained Players, Retained Young Players and Existing New Young Players. In Season 12, the retention list came out on May 17, 2025, about two weeks before the auction. Our PKL 13 retained players tracker will list every retention.
Step 3: Purse Figures
Each team’s remaining purse is calculated after retentions. Season 12 teams had INR 5 crore each.
Step 4: Auction Days
Recent auctions have run over two days, with the top categories on Day 1.
| Step | Typical Gap Before Auction | Status for Season 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Official auction announcement | A few weeks | Not yet |
| Retention list | About two weeks (Season 12) | Not yet |
| Purse figures | Around the retention list | Not yet |
| Auction | – | Date not confirmed |
How the PKL 13 Auction Date Affects the Season Start
The auction date sets off a chain of events. After the auction, teams finalise squads and hold training camps, which usually last a month or more. Only then can the season begin. If the auction moves later, the season start is likely to move later too.
| If the Auction Is Held In… | Likely Training Camp Window | Possible Season Start |
|---|---|---|
| Early November 2026 | November to December | Late December 2026 |
| Late November 2026 | December | January 2027 |
| December 2026 | December to January | Later in early 2027 |
These scenarios are our estimates based on the usual gap between auction and season, not official dates. When fixtures are confirmed, our main PKL schedule 2026 page will list every match.
Players Already Settled Before the PKL 13 Auction
Even without an auction date, some Season 13 places are already decided by contract.
| Team | Player | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | Ashu Malik | Two-season FBM, INR 1.90 crore |
| Patna Pirates | Deepak Singh | Two-season FBM, INR 86 lakh |
| Puneri Paltan | Mohd. Amaan | Two-season FBM, INR 35 lakh |
| Haryana Steelers | Ghanshyam Roka Magar | Two-season FBM, INR 13 lakh |
| Telugu Titans | Four New Young Players | Signed for the new cycle |
| Tamil Thalaivas | Suthil Darshan, Lakshay Suhag | NYPs for Seasons 13 and 14 |
Coaching Changes Ahead of the PKL 13 Auction
Three franchises have confirmed new head coaches who will shape their squads at the auction.
| Team | New Head Coach |
|---|---|
| Gujarat Giants | Randhir Singh Sehrawat |
| Patna Pirates | Jasveer Singh |
| UP Yoddhas | Upendra Malik |
The full list is in our PKL coaches list.
What Fans Should Do While Waiting
- Follow the league’s official website and social channels for the announcement.
- Treat any “confirmed” date from unofficial pages with caution.
- Read up on how the auction works so you are ready on the day.
- Bookmark this page, which will be updated with the official PKL 13 auction date as soon as it is announced.
Our PKL auction hub explains retentions, purses, base prices and the FBM card in detail.
How to Spot a Fake PKL 13 Auction Date
When an official date is late, rumours fill the gap. These checks help you separate real news from guesswork.
| Warning Sign | What It Means |
|---|---|
| No mention of the league or organiser | Probably not an official announcement |
| “Confirmed” with no source | Treat as rumour |
| Full player lists before retentions | Predictions, not facts |
| Dates that differ across pages | No official date has been set |
PKL 13 Auction Date: Our Assessment
With the reported October 18 to 25 window gone, the most likely explanation is that the league is waiting to settle wider issues, including media rights, before announcing the auction. That does not mean Season 13 is in doubt, only that the timeline has stretched. Once the official date is announced, retentions and the auction itself typically follow within a few weeks, so fans can expect a busy period of news when it finally arrives.
PKL 13 Auction Date vs Previous Seasons: The Gap to the Season Start
Looking at how long recent seasons waited between the auction and the first match helps estimate what the PKL 13 auction date means for fans.
| Season | Auction | Season Start | Approximate Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 10 | October 9-10, 2023 | December 2023 | About two months |
| Season 12 | May 31 – June 1, 2025 | August 29, 2025 | About three months |
| Season 13 | Not confirmed | Reported late December 2026 | Depends on the official PKL 13 auction date |
A gap of around two months is common when the calendar is tight. If the league keeps a similar gap for Season 13, a late-December start would need the auction to happen soon. A later PKL 13 auction date would make a January start more likely.
What the PKL 13 Auction Date Means for Each Team
Every franchise is waiting on the PKL 13 auction date, but some have more riding on it than others.
| Team | Why the Date Matters |
|---|---|
| Gujarat Giants | New coach Randhir Singh Sehrawat needs time to build his squad |
| Patna Pirates | New coach Jasveer Singh faces key decisions on young stars |
| UP Yoddhas | New coach Upendra Malik prepares for his first auction in charge |
| Tamil Thalaivas | Big decisions on Arjun Deshwal and Pawan Sehrawat |
| Dabang Delhi K.C. | Defending champions planning a title defence around Ashu Malik |
| Puneri Paltan | Keeping a league-winning core together |
Squad details for every team are on our PKL teams page.
PKL 13 Auction Date: What We Expect the Announcement to Include
When the league finally confirms the PKL 13 auction date, the announcement is likely to cover several details at once, based on how previous auctions were announced.
- The auction dates and the host city.
- The date of the retention list announcement.
- The salary purse for each franchise.
- The player categories and base prices.
- How the auction will be broadcast and streamed.
Season 12 Benchmarks to Compare
| Detail | Season 12 |
|---|---|
| Retention list | May 17, 2025 |
| Auction | May 31 – June 1, 2025, Mumbai |
| Purse per team | INR 5 crore |
| Base prices | INR 30 lakh (A), 20 lakh (B), 13 lakh (C), 9 lakh (D) |
| Players sold | 121 of 529 |
Timeline Tracker: Every PKL 13 Auction Date Update
This tracker will record every confirmed step once the league begins its announcements.
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official PKL 13 auction date announced | – | Awaiting |
| Retention list published | – | Awaiting |
| Auction Day 1 | – | Awaiting |
| Auction Day 2 | – | Awaiting |
| Squads finalised | – | Awaiting |
| Season 13 schedule released | – | Awaiting |
PKL 13 auction date: Final Word
The PKL 13 auction date remains the key missing piece of the Season 13 puzzle. Until the league confirms it, every other date, from the retention list to the first raid of the season, is an estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PKL 13 auction date?
The official PKL 13 auction date has not been announced. Reports in August 2026 pointed to October 18 to 25, 2026, but that window has passed without an official announcement.
Why is the PKL 13 auction delayed?
Reports point to the 2026 Asian Games, the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship and ongoing media rights negotiations.
When will PKL Season 13 start?
Reports suggested late December 2026, but this depends on when the auction is held. No official start date has been announced.
Where will the PKL 13 auction be held?
The venue has not been announced. The Season 12 auction was held in Mumbai.
Has the PKL auction been delayed before?
Yes. The Season 10 auction in 2023 was moved back about a month, to October 9 and 10, because of the Asian Games.
Will there be a retention list before the PKL 13 auction?
Yes. Teams announce retentions before every auction. In Season 12, the retention list came out about two weeks before the auction.
Which players are already confirmed for Season 13?
Players on two-season FBM deals from Season 12, including Ashu Malik, Deepak Singh, Mohd. Amaan and Ghanshyam Roka Magar, are already contracted.
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