Pro Kabaddi League fans have plenty to look forward to as the build-up to Season 13 gathers pace, with a mega auction on the horizon and the defending champions plotting a title defence.
Dabang Delhi K.C. enter the new cycle as the team to beat. They were crowned Season 12 champions after edging Puneri Paltan 31-28 in a tense final at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex, claiming their second PKL crown. The win carried extra significance: Delhi became the first home side since U Mumba in Season 2 to lift the title on their own soil, capping a memorable campaign in front of their supporters.
Attention now turns to squad building. Reports suggest the Season 13 mega auction will take place between July and August 2026, though Mashal Sports is yet to confirm an official date. A mega auction typically shakes up rosters across the league, forcing all 12 franchises to rethink their retentions, targets and budgets. With the same dozen teams set to compete, the auction table could prove decisive in shaping the title race.
The coaching carousel has already begun to turn. UP Yoddhas have appointed Upendra Malik as their new head coach ahead of PKL 13, a move that signals the franchise's intent to challenge at the top after recent seasons.
As for the season itself, the league is expected to retain its caravan format, travelling across Indian cities to bring the action to fans nationwide. Based on current reporting, Season 13 is likely to get under way in the latter part of 2026, with an anticipated window between October and December.
For now, the focus is firmly on the auction, where the foundations of the next campaign will be laid. Delhi will hope to keep their winning core together; their rivals will be looking to close the gap.
