The Pro Kabaddi League is preparing for its 13th season, with the player auction expected to be one of the biggest events before the new campaign begins. While the official announcement from league organisers Mashal Sports is still awaited, the PKL 2026 auction date is expected to fall between October 18 and October 25, 2026.
The auction is likely to be held in the second half of October, giving all 12 franchises enough time to complete their squad planning before Season 13 begins in December. The expected schedule also allows players involved in major international events to complete their national duties before franchise preparations begin.
PKL 2026 Auction Expected in October
The Pro Kabaddi auction 2026 is expected to take place between October 18 and October 25. The event is being planned as a two-day auction featuring domestic and overseas players.
Before the auction, teams are expected to complete their retention decisions and New Young Player signings during September and early October. Franchises will then enter the auction with a clearer understanding of the positions they need to strengthen.
The timing is also important because of the international kabaddi calendar. The 2026 Asian Games and Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship are among the major events that could involve several players and coaching staff. Holding the auction after these competitions would allow franchises to focus on squad building without major international commitments affecting preparations.
Why October Is an Important Window
An October auction would provide teams with around six to seven weeks to prepare for the new season. This period can be used for fitness training, tactical planning and building combinations between new and existing players.
PKL Season 13 is projected to begin on December 12, 2026. The league is expected to continue with a caravan format, taking matches to different Indian cities during the league stage.
The gap between the auction and the start of the season should therefore give coaches enough time to understand their new squads and prepare players for the demands of the competition.
Auction Purse and Squad Rules
Each of the 12 franchises is expected to operate with a total purse of ₹5 crore. Teams will need to carefully manage their money because they must build squads within the required player limits.
A franchise will need a minimum of 18 players and can have a maximum of 25 players. Teams must also include between two and four overseas players in their squads.
Players will be divided into four categories based on their base prices. Category A players will have a base price of ₹30 lakh, while Category B players will start at ₹20 lakh. Category C will have a base price of ₹13 lakh and Category D players will start at ₹9 lakh.
The Final Bid Match card will also give franchises an opportunity to bring back released players by matching the winning bid from another team.
Players to Watch at the Auction
One of the biggest attractions of the PKL 2026 auction will be the possibility of record-breaking bids. High-profile players such as Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, Arjun Deshwal and Ashu Malik could attract significant interest.
Several franchises are also entering the auction with changes in their coaching setups. Gujarat Giants, Patna Pirates and UP Yoddhas are among the teams expected to have interesting squad building strategies.
Defending champions Dabang Delhi K.C. will also be closely watched as they look to protect their successful core.
With the PKL 2026 auction date expected between October 18 and October 25, fans can look forward to an important two-day event that could shape the entire Season 13 campaign.
