PWL announces January 3 player auction, confirms six teams for 2026 return

The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) is set for a long-awaited return, with organisers announcing that player auctions for the 2026 season will be held on January 3. The league will make its comeback after a six-year break, with six franchises confirmed for the upcoming edition.

Season five of the Pro Wrestling League will run from January 15 to February 1 and promises a high-octane blend of Indian and international wrestling talent competing in a fast-paced, team-based format.

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The franchises confirmed for PWL 2026 are Haryana Thunders, Tigers of Mumbai Dangals, Punjab Royals, Maharashtra Kesari, Delhi Dangal Warriors and UP Dominators. The teams represent some of the country’s strongest wrestling hubs, reinforcing the league’s nationwide presence.

The January 3 auction is expected to be a major highlight ahead of the season, with more than 300 professional wrestlers from over 20 countries set to go under the hammer. The auction pool includes Olympic and World Championship medallists, alongside a strong lineup of leading Indian men’s and women’s wrestlers, underlining the league’s growing global appeal.

Akhil Gupta, CEO of the Pro Wrestling League, said the upcoming season marked a significant step in the league’s journey.

“PWL 2026 marks an important phase in PWL’s evolution. With the teams now confirmed and the player auctions set to take place, we are laying the foundation for a competitive, transparent and athlete-centric season. The response from wrestlers across the world has been extremely encouraging, and we look forward to a high-quality auction process,” Gupta said.