The inaugural Karnataka Premier Kabaddi League Auction delivered plenty of excitement as eight franchises battled to sign the state’s best kabaddi talent. Held at the Koramangala Club in Bengaluru, the KPKL 2026 Auction saw teams build their 14-player squads with a purse of ₹10 lakh each.
As expected, Category A players attracted the biggest bids, with several intense bidding wars taking place throughout the auction. Raider Sai Prasad emerged as the most expensive player after being snapped up by the Uttara Kannada Stallions for ₹3.60 lakh.
KPKL 2026 Auction Produces Big Bids
The KPKL 2026 Auction marked the beginning of a new chapter for kabaddi in Karnataka, with franchises investing heavily in experienced players capable of making an immediate impact.
The auction featured competitive bidding from all eight teams, particularly for marquee raiders and all rounders. While every franchise worked within the same salary cap, several players managed to secure impressive contracts.
Biggest KPKL Signings
Here are the five biggest purchases from the inaugural auction:
| Rank | Player | Franchise | Price |
| 1 | Sai Prasad | Uttara Kannada Stallions | ₹3.60 lakh |
| 2 | Gagan Gowda | Hoysala Empire | ₹3.20 lakh |
| 3 | Sushil Kambrekar | Mangalore Indians | ₹2.90 lakh |
| 4 | Vishwash S | Vijayapura Lions | ₹2.60 lakh |
| 5 | Vinod Naik | Uttara Kannada Stallions | ₹2.20 lakh |
Sai Prasad topped the list after Uttara Kannada Stallions invested heavily in the talented raider. His ability to score consistently made him the most sought-after player in the auction.
Another standout signing was Gagan Gowda, who sparked a bidding battle before eventually joining Hoysala Empirefor ₹3.20 lakh.
Mangalore Indians strengthened their squad by signing Sushil Kambrekar for ₹2.90 lakh, while Vijayapura Lionssecured Vishwash S for ₹2.60 lakh.
The Uttara Kannada Stallions also added Vinod Naik for ₹2.20 lakh, giving them two of the five most expensive players in the competition.
Several other players also crossed the ₹2 lakh mark, including Manoj Gowda, Abhishek S, Mohammad Afreed, and Ranjit Naik, reflecting the competitive nature of the auction.
Who is the most expensive player in PKL auction?
Many fans also ask: who is the most expensive player in PKL auction?
The answer is Pawan Sehrawat, who remains the costliest player in Pro Kabaddi League history.
The Indian star raider was bought by the Telugu Titans for ₹2.605 crore during the PKL Season 10 Auction, setting a record that still stands today.
Other notable high value signings in PKL history include Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, who has twice crossed the ₹2 crore mark, and Devank Dalal, who was purchased by Bengal Warriorz for ₹2.205 crore in Season 12.
A Promising Start for Karnataka Kabaddi
The Karnataka Premier Kabaddi League Auction has laid the foundation for what promises to be an exciting inaugural season. With franchises investing wisely and several talented players receiving significant contracts, the league has already generated strong interest among kabaddi fans.
The Biggest KPKL Signings have strengthened squads across the competition, while Sai Prasad’s record breaking deal has set an early benchmark for future auctions. As the inaugural season approaches, supporters will be eager to see whether these marquee signings can justify their price tags and lead their teams to the first-ever Karnataka Premier Kabaddi League title.
