Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 Set to Launch on National Sports Day with Sporting Legends

On August 29, National Sports Day, the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 will commence with a star-studded event featuring sporting legends. Icons like Pullela Gopichand and Dhanraj Pillay will honor India's rich sporting heritage. The season promises new competitive formats and thrilling matches, starting with a southern derby. Fans can catch all the action live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 26, 2025, 22:45 IST

Celebrating National Sports Day with Kabaddi Legends

On August 29, coinciding with National Sports Day, renowned athletes from various sports will gather to inaugurate the 12th season of the Pro Kabaddi League.

Among the distinguished guests are Padma Bhushan awardee Pullela Gopichand, former Indian hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay, kabaddi star Pardeep Narwal, Paralympic champion Praveen Kumar, and Rajasthan Royals player Vaibhav Suryavanshi. They will come together to honor India's indigenous sport with a rendition of the National Anthem.

This event serves as a tribute to India's rich sporting heritage, celebrating athletes who have brought global acclaim to the nation. The Pro Kabaddi League's Season 12 aims to highlight the cultural significance of kabaddi as it gains international recognition.

“It is fitting that this season of the Pro Kabaddi League commences with the presence of legends who have significantly contributed to India's sporting narrative,” stated Anupam Goswami, Business Head and League Commissioner of Pro Kabaddi.

“Their legacy embodies the spirit of PKL, which honors our roots while elevating kabaddi to new heights. We are honored to have them as we launch another exciting season,” he added.

“National Sports Day is a reminder of how sports unite us. It teaches teamwork, discipline, and resilience. I feel fortunate to be part of Rajasthan Royals, pursuing my dreams, and I hope more children are inspired to play and believe in themselves,” remarked Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

This season will introduce new competitive formats, ensuring that every match concludes with a result. Tiebreakers will be utilized for drawn games, even during the league phase. A new 'play-in' round will be established between the league and playoffs: the top two teams will advance directly to the playoffs, while the 3rd and 4th place teams will compete in a mini-qualifier, and teams ranked 5th to 8th will engage in the play-in.

The excitement of PKL Season 12 will kick off with a thrilling southern derby on August 29, featuring the Telugu Titans against the Tamil Thalaivas. Fans can enjoy every moment of the action live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.