Wikipedia - Pro Kabaddi League
Pro Kabaddi League or abbreviated to PKL is an Indian men's professional Kabaddi league. It was launched in 2014 and is broadcast on Star Sports. It is the most popular kabaddi league in the world. It is also the second most watched sports league in India after the Indian Premier League (IPL). Puneri Paltan are the current champions of PKL.
The league's inception was influenced by the popularity of the kabaddi tournament at the 2006 Asian Games. The format of the competition was influenced by IPL. The Pro Kabaddi League uses a franchise-based model and its first season was held in 2014 with eight teams each of which has paid fees of up to US$250,000 (₹20,00,000) to join.
There were doubts over whether the Pro Kabaddi League would be successful, noting that many leagues were attempting to emulate the IPL's business model and success and that, unlike cricket, there were relatively fewer well-known players in Kabaddi. However, it was also noted that kabaddi was widely played in grassroots community settings, and could thus attract a wide variety of rural and metropolitan viewers for advertisers to target if the league gained significant attraction.
The inaugural season was seen by 43.5 crores (435 million) viewers, second to the 2014 Indian Premier League's 55.2 crores (552 million), while the first season final between Jaipur Pink Panthers and U-Mumba was watched by 8.64 crores (86.4 million). Star Sports, the Pro Kabaddi League's broadcaster, subsequently announced in 2015 that it would acquire a 74% stake in the league's parent company Mashal Sports.
For the 2017 and 2018–19 season, the Pro Kabaddi League added four new teams, and changed its format to split the teams into two divisions known as "zones". Soon the league returned to its regular double round-robin format from the 2019 season.
Since its inception there have been seven different champions. Patna Pirates has won the competition a record three times, in three consecutive seasons. They are also the only team to win back to back titles. Jaipur Pink Panthers has won twice, while U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls, Bengal Warriors, Dabang Delhi K.C and Puneri Paltan have one title each.
Puneri Paltan are the current champions, having wom the 2023-24 season for the first time by defeating Haryana Steelers in the final.
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is a professional kabaddi league in India where franchise-based teams compete against each other. The league follows a round-robin format, where each team plays against every other team twice during the league phase.
At the end of the league phase, the top teams qualify for the playoffs. The playoffs consist of eliminators and finals where teams compete to reach the ultimate final match. The team that wins the final match is crowned the champion of the Pro Kabaddi League.
The league also has various individual awards like the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Best Raider, and Best Defender, among others, to recognize outstanding performances of players during the season.
The league won the Best Sports League’ at the Confederation of Indian Industry Sports Business Awards in October 2024 at New Delhi, India.
The league follows a round-robin format, with each team playing against every other team in the league. The top teams then advance to the playoffs, culminating in a thrilling final match to determine the champion.
India Pro Kabaddi has gained immense popularity in recent years, attracting a large fan base and garnering attention from sports enthusiasts across the country. The tournament features high-intensity matches, fierce rivalries, and incredible displays of skill and athleticism from the players.
With its electrifying atmosphere, competitive spirit, and passionate fan following, India Pro Kabaddi has become a must-watch event for kabaddi fans and sports lovers alike. It has helped elevate the sport of kabaddi to new heights and has played a significant role in promoting and popularizing the traditional Indian sport on a national scale.