The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) marked a pivotal moment in Indian sports by transforming a traditional rural game into a commercially viable and professionally structured sporting event. Initiated by Mashal Sports in 2014, the league aimed to elevate kabaddi to a new level of professionalism, bringing tangible benefits to players, franchises, and the sporting ecosystem as a whole.
Pro Kabaddi League Format and Structure
Structured as an eight-city league in its early editions, PKL adopted a caravan format where each team played others twice during the season, initially held between July and August. This format generated intense regional rivalries while ensuring national visibility. The league received strong backing from key bodies like the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), the Asian Kabaddi Federation, and the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), ensuring robust governance and structural legitimacy.
Broadcasting: Star Sports’ Role in PKL’s Mass Appeal
Star Sports, with exclusive TV and online broadcasting rights, played a transformative role in the league’s early success. Their high-quality coverage, regional language commentary, and aggressive marketing made kabaddi a household sport, garnering unprecedented attention for a non-cricket league.
Sponsorships and International Participation
Major sponsorships followed: Hero MotoCorp entered with a multi-year title sponsorship, and prominent brands like Bharti Airtel, Yes Bank, and later Vivo came onboard. Franchises spent significantly on domestic and international talent. Though largely dominated by Indian players, the league attracted participants from Iran, Kenya, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh—giving PKL a growing global profile.
PKL’s Record-Breaking Viewership
In its debut year, PKL achieved a cumulative viewership of 435 million, making it the second most-watched sports league in India after the Indian Premier League (IPL). Even the Indian Super League (ISL), in comparison, saw 410 million viewers in its first season.
Recent Developments in Pro Kabaddi League (2023–2025)
Shift from Caravan Format to Home-and-Away Model
From Season 10 onward (2023), PKL adopted a standard home-and-away format, aligning more closely with global league structures like football and basketball. This increased local fan engagement, ticket revenue, and stadium-based sponsorships.
Rise in Player Salaries and Legal Formalization
Top Indian players like Pawan Sehrawat and Fazel Atrachali commanded salaries of over ₹2 crore in recent auctions, highlighting the league’s growing commercial appeal. With this, Mashal Sports and team owners introduced more detailed player contracts, including:
- Standard Player Agreements with clauses on injury, image rights, termination, and anti-doping compliance.
- Clear dispute resolution provisions, with arbitration forums specified for contract disagreements.
- This marks a major step forward in the formalization of sports law practices in domestic leagues.
Increased Focus on Grassroots and Women’s Kabaddi
PKL has inspired a surge in grassroots kabaddi training centers. Several franchises have launched academy programs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. In 2024, Mashal Sports announced plans for a Women’s Pro Kabaddi League. The initiative was launched in partnership with the Sports Authority of India (SAI). It is set to debut in 2026
Digital Expansion and Fan Engagement
In line with changing media consumption habits, PKL expanded its digital reach through JioCinema. The platform began streaming PKL matches in 2024. It offered interactive features like multilingual commentary, fantasy integration, and behind-the-scenes content.. This has significantly increased youth viewership.
PKL’s Legal Compliance and League Governance
With its growing stature, PKL has come under increased scrutiny to align with India’s emerging sports law ecosystem. Key developments include:
- Mandatory registration of franchises under AI-based athlete registration platforms, monitored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
- Enforcement of anti-doping regulations under NADA, with in-competition testing becoming more frequent.
- Adoption of financial disclosures and compliance under the proposed National Sports Development Bill currently under discussion.
- These steps reflect a broader movement toward making sports leagues in India legally accountable and institutionally robust.
Conclusion: PKL’s Impact on Indian Sports Landscape
While challenges remain, particularly regarding long-term franchise profitability and fan retention, the Pro Kabaddi League has established itself as one of India’s premier sporting properties. It has bridged the gap between traditional Indian sport and modern entertainment. The league has shown that homegrown games can be repackaged. They can appeal to the masses without losing authenticity.
As it steps into its second decade, PKL’s focus is on player welfare, legal clarity, technological integration, and expansion into women’s kabaddi. These elements will determine its continued relevance and impact. With thoughtful regulation and sustained commercial interest, kabaddi may yet become India’s next global sports export.
This Blog is written by Saumya Soni, advocate, Supreme Court of India.
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