The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 Playoffs will light up the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi from October 25 to 31, 2025. Eight top-performing teams, after 108 electrifying league-stage battles played out over four cities, are now ready to fight for the prized PKL Season 12 trophy in what will be an action-filled finale week.
New Delhi hosted the Playoffs Press Conference that had captains from each of the eight teams that qualified for the event, all of them showing confidence and determination as the championship race heats up.
PKL Season 12 Playoffs Format and Schedule
The PKL Season 12 Playoffs bring a new and competitive format that will bring the most excitement and equity. Play-ins kickstart on October 25, followed by a chain of Eliminators, Qualifiers, and finally the Grand Final.
Play-ins – October 25, 2025
Haryana Steelers (Defending Champions) vs Jaipur Pink Panthers
Patna Pirates vs U Mumba
Winners of these play-ins will move on to the final Playoffs round.
Eliminators and Qualifiers
October 26: The winners of the play-ins cross paths in Eliminator 1; Bengaluru Bulls take on Telugu Titans in the Mini Qualifier.
October 27: Eliminator 2 sees the Eliminator 1 winner take on the Bulls-Titans loser. At the same time, Qualifier 1 will have the two top teams, Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi K.C., competing for a direct entry into the Final.
October 28: Eliminator 3 involves the Eliminator 2 winner against the Mini Qualifier winner.
October 29: Qualifier 2 the Qualifier 1 loser will await the Eliminator 3 winner to decide the second finalist.
October 31: PKL Season 12 Grand Final decides the ultimate champion in Delhi.
A Season of Competitiveness and Comebacks
According to Anupam Goswami, Business Head of Mashal Sports and League Chairman
“Season 12 has genuinely set a new standard for competitiveness in the Pro Kabaddi League 48 of our 108 matches were won by five points or fewer, and 27 in the final 90 seconds. The Playoffs will carry this fierceness forward in what will be one of the most highly contested finales in PKL history.”
The addition of tiebreakers this season brought an extra dose of drama, with each point becoming vital in the playoff race.
Top Players and Key Moments of PKL Season 12
Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi K.C. were atop the league table on 26 points apiece, with their playoff spots clinched early. Bengaluru Bulls came in third on 22 points, with Telugu Titans, Haryana Steelers, and U Mumba (all on 20 points) following behind.
Patna Pirates, who were runners-up last year, authored a dramatic turn of events pulling themselves up from bottom of the table on Day 44 to win five on the trot and qualify for the seventh playoff spot. Jaipur Pink Panthers rounded out the top eight following a nail-biting qualification battle.
Captains Speak: Calmness and Composure the Key to Success
Puneri Paltan captain Aslam Inamdar stressed the role of leadership and level head in the intense playoffs:
“Playoffs are all about composure and clarity. We’ve worked hard for this stage now it’s about belief and discipline.”
Dabang Delhi K.C. skipper Ashu Malik shared similar views:
“Each raid and tackle is capable of turning the game. Being calm is my greatest strength when pressure mounts, I believe in relying on our preparation and playing with an untainted mind.”
PKL’s Legacy and Growth
With Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), Mashal Sports, and JioStar backing it, the Pro Kabaddi League has become one of India’s most popular and longest-standing sports leagues. With the most matches of any Indian league, PKL has turned Kabaddi into a globally recognized phenomenon.
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