Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 31: The much-awaited 12th season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is set to begin on August 29 with a power-packed opening weekend in Visakhapatnam. The inaugural match will feature Telugu Titans squaring off against Tamil Thalaivas at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, promising a thrilling start to the new campaign.
The opening day will also witness a high-octane clash between Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan, setting the tone for a gripping season across multiple cities.
Saturday, August 30, will see home side Telugu Titans return to the mat to take on UP Yoddhas, followed by an electrifying encounter between U Mumba and Gujarat Giants. The action continues on Super Sunday with Tamil Thalaivas locking horns with U Mumba, while defending champions Haryana Steelers will begin their title defence against Bengal Warriorz.
PKL’s return to Vizag marks a nostalgic comeback, as the city last hosted matches in Season 6 back in 2018. With a rich kabaddi legacy dating back to Seasons 1 and 3, Visakhapatnam is poised to bring back the fervour of the league to its passionate fans.
The second leg of the league shifts to Jaipur’s SMS Indoor Stadium from September 12. Fans can look forward to mouth-watering clashes, including two-time champions Jaipur Pink Panthers facing Bengaluru Bulls, and Tamil Thalaivas meeting Bengal Warriorz. Jaipur remains a key venue in PKL history, having hosted the 1000th match milestone during Season 10.
The Chennai leg kicks off on September 29 at SDAT Multipurpose Indoor Stadium. Star-studded contests include UP Yoddhas vs Gujarat Giants and a dramatic face-off between Dabang Delhi K.C. and Haryana Steelers, where Naveen Kumar will play against his former team.
Delhi's Thyagaraj Sports Complex will host the final league phase from October 13, featuring blockbuster fixtures like Patna Pirates vs Haryana Steelers and U Mumba vs UP Yoddhas. Fans can expect triple-header matchdays as the tournament heads into its high-stakes playoff rounds, with the playoff schedule to be announced later.
Speaking about the new season, Anupam Goswami, Business Head - Mashal & League Commissioner - Pro Kabaddi, said, “Season 12 marks an exciting new chapter in the growth of the Pro Kabaddi League. With a multi-city format, we are bringing top-tier kabaddi action to fans across the country. We’re particularly thrilled to return to Visakhapatnam, reinforcing our commitment to taking the league closer to its passionate fan base.”
With 12 teams vying for glory, and multiple cities echoing with kabaddi chants, PKL Season 12 promises to be an action-packed spectacle.