PKL unveils revamped format with bigger league & playoffs ahead of Season 12

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) on Friday unveiled major format changes for Season 12, set to kick off on August 29, with an expanded league stage and revamped Playoffs designed to intensify competition and keep fans hooked.

The league will kick off in Visakhapatnam before the caravan moves to Jaipur, Chennai and Delhi, taking PKL action deeper into India.

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This season will feature 108 league matches, with each franchise playing 18 games, a move aimed at testing teams thoroughly while keeping the kabaddi action high-octane.

A key innovation is the introduction of the tie-breaker system, previously limited to Playoffs, into all league-stage matches. In case of a tie, teams will contest a 5-raid shootout, followed by a Golden Raid if required. If the deadlock persists, the outcome will be decided by a coin toss. The change eliminates tied results, guaranteeing decisive finishes.

To simplify standings, the points system has also been overhauled, with the teams gaining two points for a win and none for a loss, making it easier for fans to track progress.

The Playoffs, too, get a new shape. For the first time, the top eight teams will remain in contention for the title. Teams placed 5th to 8th will fight it out in Play-in matches, with winners advancing to Eliminators. The 3rd- and 4th-placed teams face off in a Mini-Qualifier, while the top two will meet in Qualifier 1 — the winner heading straight to the Final, the loser getting a second shot via Qualifier 2.

In all, three Eliminators and two Qualifiers will determine the finalists.

With more teams in the mix and every league-stage position carrying greater weight, PKL Season 12 promises heightened drama, decisive outcomes and a longer run of fan engagement.