The upcoming PKL season 13 auction mumbai is set to become one of the biggest and most important events in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League. With more than 500 players available, huge purse balances, and several shocking player releases, franchises are preparing for an intense bidding war in Mumbai.
The pro kabaddi league 2026 auction is not just about buying players. It is about rebuilding squads, creating long term plans, and finding the perfect balance between star power and team depth. The updated Final Bid Match rule has added another exciting layer to this year’s auction strategy.
The Auction Structure and Player Pool
The two day auction in Mumbai will feature a massive player pool divided into domestic and overseas categories. Players are grouped into Categories A, B, C, and D based on their experience and performance level.
The base prices start from ₹9 lakh for Category D players and go up to ₹30 lakh for Category A stars. Every franchise enters the auction with a starting purse of ₹5 crore, but each team’s remaining balance depends on the number of retained players.
This setup has created a very uneven auction landscape. Some teams have protected their core units, while others have completely cleared space to attack the market aggressively.
The Updated FBM Rule Changes Everything
One of the biggest talking points in this pkl season 13 player auction analysis is the revised Final Bid Match rule.
Earlier, teams could only use an FBM card to match the highest bid and keep a player for one season. Now, franchises can choose between a one season or two season contract at the moment they activate the FBM card.
This new rule gives teams more control over long term planning. Coaches can now secure their key players for multiple seasons and build stability around them. However, it also carries financial risk because a costly two year deal can reduce future flexibility.
The number of FBM cards also depends on elite retentions. Teams retaining six elite players receive one FBM card, while teams with four or fewer elite retentions receive three cards.
Dabang Delhi Ready to Dominate the Auction
No team enters the Mumbai auction with more attention than Dabang Delhi K.C. After releasing several major players, they now hold a massive purse of ₹4.56 crore.
This gives Delhi the power to influence almost every major bidding battle. They can increase prices quickly and force rival teams to spend heavily early in the auction. Their strategy clearly focuses on controlling the market instead of depending on old combinations.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Bulls and Gujarat Giants also have more than ₹4 crore available. Both franchises are expected to target top Category A raiders and rebuild their squads from the ground up.
On the other hand, UP Yoddhas retained a strong 13 player core including Surender Gill. Because of those retentions, they only have ₹1.86 crore left and are limited to two FBM cards.
Top Retentions and Raider Inflation
Several teams have already secured important players before the auction started. Puneri Paltan retained Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat to maintain balance in their squad. U Mumba kept captain Sunil Kumar and Iranian star Amirmohammad Zafardanesh, while Haryana Steelers held onto Jaideep Dahiya to strengthen their defense.
However, the biggest story may still be the rising price of elite raiders. Teams like Bengaluru Bulls and Gujarat Giants urgently need attacking stars, and this could push bidding past the ₹1 crore mark very quickly.
The pro kabaddi league 2026 auction in Mumbai is shaping up to be a dramatic battle of money, planning, and pressure. With new rules and massive purse differences, PKL Season 13 could completely reshape the future of the league.
