Revamped PWL season 5 to kick off on January 15

The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) has unveiled the schedule for its fifth season, with the revamped tournament set to be held from January 15 to February 1 at the Noida Indoor Stadium.

The season will kick off with Punjab Royals facing UP Dominators, setting the stage for an action-packed campaign. Returning after a comprehensive restructuring, PWL 2026 will feature six franchises competing in a league-cum-knockout format, bringing together top Indian and international wrestlers.

Advertisement

Delhi Dangal Warriors, Haryana Thunders, Tiigers of Mumbai Dangal, Maharashtra Kesari, Punjab Royals and UP Dominators will contest the title. The league stage will comprise 15 matches spread across 13 match days, with each team playing in a round-robin format.

The top four sides will qualify for the semi-finals on January 30 and 31, ahead of the final on February 1.

The schedule includes back-to-back double-header days on January 16 and 17. On January 16, Maharashtra Kesari will take on Delhi Dangal Warriors from 6:00 PM, followed by a clash between Punjab Royals and Haryana Thunders. The following day, Tiigers of Mumbai Dangal will begin their campaign against UP Dominators at 6:00 PM, before Delhi Dangal Warriors face Haryana Thunders.

Each league tie will feature nine bouts across different weight categories, highlighting a blend of Olympic medallists, world champions, rising Indian talents and leading international wrestlers signed during the record-breaking PWL 2026 auctions.

The final league-stage match will be played on January 29, with Punjab Royals taking on Delhi Dangal Warriors. Rest days have been scheduled on January 22 and 24 to ensure adequate recovery for athletes.

Season 5 will also spotlight star power assembled during the recently concluded auctions, where franchises spent over Rs 11 crore to sign 63 Indian and overseas wrestlers. Olympic champion and four-time world champion Yui Susaki emerged as the most expensive signing in league history after being picked up by Haryana Thunders for Rs 60 lakh.

Among the men, world championship bronze medallist Robert Baran was signed by Maharashtra Kesari for Rd 55 lakh.

Indian wrestlers are set to play a pivotal role, led by Antim Panghal, who joined UP Dominators for Rs 52 lakh, and reigning U23 world champion Sujeet Kalkal, snapped up by Delhi Dangal Warriors for the same amount. Paris Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat was signed by Tiigers of Mumbai Dangal for Rs 51 lakh, while Ana Godinez bolstered Punjab Royals’ women’s squad with a Rs 46 lakh deal.