PKL 12 Matches Reduced as Format Gets Major Update
Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 is starting from August 29. The schedule and format of the league have been changed this year.
It has been more than ten years since PKL began. It is now the second biggest league in India after the IPL. Like every league, PKL also had to listen to all who are involved. Some of them had issues with how the league was going.
In the past few seasons, the tournament has been running for 12 to 13 weeks. That was too long. As a result, fans lost interest near the end. Also, the cost to host the league was too high. The organisers have now made changes to fix these problems.
Number of league matches reduced to 108
Earlier, PKL had 132 league matches. Each team played against all other teams twice. But in PKL 12, the number of matches is reduced to 108.
Now each team will play 18 matches instead of 22. They will play two matches against seven teams and one match against four teams.
This change is made so that fans stay interested till the end and the schedule does not feel too long.
PKL to be held in four cities
PKL started with the home and away model like the IPL. It helped fans connect with their local teams. Later the league expanded to 12 cities.
But the cost of moving to 12 cities was too much. Last year the league was held in three cities only. This time PKL will take place in four cities.
After seven years, Vizag will host PKL again. Then the matches will move to Jaipur, then Chennai, and end in Delhi.
Three matches daily in the final week
Kabaddi is a fast game. The long 13-week season was becoming too slow. That is why PKL 12 will last only nine weeks.
To keep the excitement high, the organisers will hold three matches every day in the last week.
This will help in deciding which teams qualify for playoffs faster. Last year three teams were out very early and that reduced viewership. Organisers hope this change will improve that.
The new format in PKL 12 is made to keep the league exciting and better for fans. With fewer matches and only four cities, the league will now feel faster and more focused. Every match will now be more important.
