PKL Season 12 – Opening the Mat: Season 12 Launches in Style
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 bursts into action on August 29, 2025—National Sports Day—at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Vizag, with a high-voltage opener: Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas .
Drawing fans into two months of intense kabaddi, the league stretches its pulse-pounding showdown all the way to October 23, 2025, wrapping up in Delhi .
New Era, New Rules: Key Changes in Season 12
- Tighter Format, Higher Stakes: The total number of matches is trimmed from previous editions—down to 108 league-stage clashes to ensure every match packs a punch .
- Fresh Tie-breaker Thrills: No more draws—if tied, games go into a structured 5-raid shootout, leading to Golden Raid and, if needed, even a tie-deciding toss.
- Expanded Playoff Pathway: A robust playoff structure now includes Play-ins, Eliminators, Mini-Qualifier, Qualifiers, and the Final—giving teams ranked up to 8 a shot at glory .
Kabaddi on Tour: City-by-City Action
The PKL caravan visits four vibrant host cities, with each leg bringing unique energy:
| City | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Vizag | Aug 29 – Sep 11 | Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium |
| Jaipur | Sep 12 – Sep 27 | Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium |
| Chennai | Sep 29 – Oct 12 | SDAT Multipurpose Indoor Stadium |
| Delhi | Oct 13 – Oct 23 | Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium |
Fixtures Unveiled: PKL Season 12 Match Schedule (Vizag to Delhi)
Vizag Leg Highlights:
- Aug 29: Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas (8 PM), followed by Bengaluru Bulls vs Puneri Paltan (9 PM) .
- The action continues daily through Sep 11, featuring thrilling matchups like U Mumba vs Patna Pirates and Dabang Delhi vs Gujarat Giants .
Jaipur Leg (Sep 12–27) includes:
- Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Bengaluru Bulls, Tamil Thalaivas vs Bengal Warriorz.
- Later matchups like Puneri Paltan vs Haryana Steelers and Patna Pirates vs Dabang Delhi mark the buildup to the next phase .
Chennai Leg (Sep 29–Oct 12) features:
- UP Yoddhas vs Gujarat Giants, Dabang Delhi vs Haryana Steelers.
- Followed by Telugu Titans vs Patna Pirates, more intense battles like Puneri Paltan vs Bengaluru Bulls, and U Mumba vs Tamil Thalaivas.
Delhi Leg (Oct 13–23) concludes the league stage with heavyweight clashes:
- Bengaluru Bulls vs Jaipur Pink Panthers, followed by Tamil Thalaivas vs Puneri Paltan.
- Final stretch sees key battles such as Patna Pirates vs Haryana Steelers and UP Yoddhas vs Tamil Thalaivas.
Auction Shock & Squad Buzz
The PKL 12 Auction threw a curveball—Pardeep Narwal, the league’s legendary top raider, went unsold and announced his retirement on June 2, 2025 .
Meanwhile, franchises have finalized their squads, featuring a blend of veteran stars and rising talents, ensuring plenty of surprise packages and emerging heroes this season .
Final Thoughts: What Makes Season 12 Unmissable
- High-Octane Format: Fewer games, more action—each match counts more than ever.
- Drama in Every Raid: Shootouts, Golden Raids, and innovative playoffs raise the excitement quotient.
- Stadium Vibrancy: From Vizag to Delhi, the league brings kabaddi fever across India.
- Legacy & Transition: With Narwal’s exit and new stars rising, expect thrilling narratives throughout.
With dynamic gameplay, strategic shake-ups, and pulse-pounding moments, PKL Season 12 promises to be a defining chapter in Indian kabaddi.
