Introduction
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has grown into one of India’s most popular sporting spectacles, second only to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of television ratings, sponsorships, and fan following. What began in 2014 as an ambitious experiment to bring the traditional Indian sport of kabaddi to mainstream audiences has now become a global sports property with millions of viewers tuning in every season.
1. Pro Kabaddi 2025 at a Glance
- Season: 12
- Start Date: August 29, 2025
- End Date: Late October 2025 (Playoffs + Final)
- Number of Teams: 12 franchises (unchanged)
- Total Matches: 137 matches across league and playoffs
- Format: Double round-robin + Playoffs (Top 6 qualify)
- New Feature: Golden Raid Shootout for tie-breaking
- Last Season’s Champion: Haryana Steelers (2024)
2. Schedule, Venues, and Format
The league kicks off on August 29, 2025, in a grand opening ceremony, and will travel across multiple Indian cities under the caravan format.
Key Details:
- League Stage: Each of the 12 teams will play 22 matches (home and away against every opponent).
- Playoffs: The top six teams qualify. The top two teams go directly to the semifinals, while teams ranked 3–6 play Eliminators.
- Final: Scheduled for late October 2025, at a neutral or high-profile venue (to be announced officially).
- Venues: Rotating caravan style – Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, and others.
Matches per team:
- 11 opponents × 2 = 22 league games.
- Total league games = 132.
- Playoffs + Final = 5 games → 137 total.
3. Points System
The Pro Kabaddi League uses a points system that rewards narrow losses, making every raid count:
- Win: 5 points
- Tie: 3 points
- Loss by ≤7 points: 1 point
- Loss by >7 points: 0 points
This unique structure ensures that even teams on the losing side fight till the very end to keep the margin small and grab a point.
4. New Rule: Golden Raid Shootout
The headline innovation in PKL 2025 is the Golden Raid shootout.
- If a match ends in a tie (after all standard tie-breaking rules), it will now be settled with a Golden Raid.
- In a Golden Raid, a team gets one raid attempt. If they score, they win; if they fail, the opponent gets their chance.
- This is similar to a penalty shootout in football and guarantees thrilling finishes.
Strategically, coaches may now play for a tie in certain situations to take their chances in the Golden Raid.
5. The 12 Teams – Storylines & Strengths
1) Bengal Warriors
- Known for strong raiding units.
- Nutrition & performance tie-ups show increased professionalism.
2) Bengaluru Bulls
- Famous for attacking kabaddi.
- Known for producing star raiders like Pawan Sehrawat in past seasons.
3) Dabang Delhi KC
- Play fast-paced kabaddi with an emphasis on quick raids.
- If injuries stay away, they are playoff contenders.
4) Gujarat Giants
- Defensively strong.
- Big auction signing of Mohammadreza Shadloui, the Iranian powerhouse.
5) Haryana Steelers
- Defending champions (2024).
- Focus on solid defense and all-rounders.
6) Jaipur Pink Panthers
- Consistent playoff performers.
- Smart, structured kabaddi – always a title threat.
7) Patna Pirates
- Once dominant with 3 consecutive titles.
- Huge change this year: Pardeep Narwal unsold—a new identity for them.
8) Puneri Paltan
- Emerging powerhouse with strong youth development.
9) Tamil Thalaivas
- Focus on developing young raiding talent.
10) Telugu Titans
- Struggled in recent seasons but rebuilding with fresh faces.
11) U Mumba
- Balanced squad; aggressive fan following in Mumbai.
12) UP Yoddhas
- Defense-led squad under new captain Sumit Sangwan.
6. Auction 2025 – Shockers and Trends
The 2025 PKL Auction (Mumbai, May 31–June 1) created history:
- Over 500 players were in the pool.
- 83 players retained before auction.
- Rs 5 crore purse per team.
- Squad size: 18–25 players.
- Overseas limit: Max 4 players.
Big Headlines:
- Pardeep Narwal Unsold: PKL’s all-time great raider was shockingly ignored by all 12 teams. A symbolic end of an era.
- All-Rounders in Demand: Defenders who can raid (like Shadloui) commanded big money.
- Focus on Young Talent: Teams shifted towards younger, fitter players over aging legends.
This auction signaled a transition phase in kabaddi where team balance matters more than superstar power.
7. Star Players to Watch in 2025
- Arjun Deshwal (Jaipur Pink Panthers): High-volume raider.
- Naveen Kumar (Dabang Delhi): “Naveen Express,” known for fast raids.
- Mohammadreza Shadloui (Gujarat Giants): Iranian defensive beast.
- Fazel Atrachali (U Mumba): Veteran defender with unmatched leadership.
- Aslam Inamdar (Puneri Paltan): Young all-rounder with superstar potential.
8. How to Watch PKL 2025
- Television: Star Sports Network (multi-language coverage).
- Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar (live + highlights).
- Official PKL App: Match updates, stats, fantasy league, and tickets.
9. Kabaddi Tactics Explained
- All-Out: Eliminating all 7 opponents = 2 bonus points.
- Do-or-Die Raid: 3rd raid without scoring → raider must score.
- Super Tackle: ≤3 defenders tackle successfully = 2 points.
- Revival: Each point scored revives one out player.
- Golden Raid: New tie-breaker rule in 2025.
Teams use these rules tactically—for example, deliberately going into Super Tackle situations or managing Do-or-Die raids smartly.
10. Playoff Structure
- Eliminator 1: 3rd vs 6th
- Eliminator 2: 4th vs 5th
- Semifinal 1: 1st vs winner of Eliminator 1
- Semifinal 2: 2nd vs winner of Eliminator 2
- Final: Winners of Semis
11. Major Storylines in 2025
- The Post-Pardeep Era – New raiding leaders must step up.
- Iranian Dominance – Overseas defenders continue to dominate.
- Haryana Steelers’ Title Defense – Can they repeat success?
- Youth Power – More U-23 players making impact.
- Golden Raid Drama – Fans eager to see its first use in crunch matches.
12. Why PKL is Special
Unlike cricket or football, kabaddi is truly Indian—rooted in rural fields, played barefoot, and now glamorized with lights, commentary, and world-class production. PKL has:
- Given players international fame.
- Created new fan cultures in states like Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Maharashtra.
- Inspired young athletes to take kabaddi seriously as a career.
13. Conclusion
Pro Kabaddi League 2025 (Season 12) is set to be historic. With Golden Raid shootouts, shocking auction results, the rise of youth talent, and defending champions Haryana Steelers chasing glory, this season could redefine kabaddi strategy and fan culture.
For fans, every night of PKL offers something new—high-flying raids, bone-crunching tackles, and matches that go down to the final raid.
So, grab your jerseys, tune in on Star Sports or Hotstar, and prepare for two months of thrilling kabaddi action.
