PKL 12: How will FBM card's new rule work in upcoming auction? Explained

New FBM rule introduced as Kabaddi’s biggest stars go under the hammer in a blockbuster affair.

The highly anticipated Pro Kabaddi League season 12 player auction (PKL 12) is set to take place on May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai. With top Indian and international Kabaddi stars going under the hammer and teams eager to build their strongest squads, the event promises to be nothing short of a blockbuster.

This year’s Player Auction sees exciting changes, including an updated Final Bid Match (FBM) rule, and features a star-studded player pool with over 500 athletes available for bidding. Among them are elite Indian players like Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal, Ashu Malik, and Devank Dalal (PKL 11’s top raider), along with international powerhouses Fazel Atrachali and Mohammadreza Shadloui.

Legendary names such as Maninder Singh and Pardeep Narwal also return to the auction table, while Naveen Kumar enters the PKL Player Auction for the first time after six seasons with Dabang Delhi.

What’s new in this year’s Player Auction?

One of the most significant updates for season 12 is the revised Final Bid Match (FBM) rule.

Previously, the FBM rule allowed teams to retain a player for only one season. Now, franchises have the option to retain a player for either one or two seasons at the time of exercising their FBM. This change supports longer-term squad building and greater team continuity.

How does the new FBM rule work?

When a player who was part of a team in Season 11 receives the highest bid from another franchise, the auctioneer will ask the player’s previous team if they’d like to exercise their FBM.

If they choose to do so, they must immediately raise either the one-season or two-season FBM card; whichever card is raised first will be considered final.

If the team exercises the FBM, the player is awarded to them at the final bid price. If they do not, the player goes to the highest bidder.

How many FBMs does each team have?

The number of FBM cards a team can use is linked to the number of Elite Retained Players (ERPs):

• 6 ERPs retained → 1 FBM
• 5 ERPs retained → 2 FBMs
• 4 or fewer ERPs retained → 3 FBMs

For this year’s Player Auction, all teams can use up to 3 FBMs, except UP Yoddhas, who are eligible for 2 FBMs.

How many players have already been retained?

A total of 83 players have been retained by the 12 PKL franchises ahead of the Player Auction:

• 25 in the Elite Retained Players (ERP) category
• 23 in the Retained Young Players (RYP) category
• 35 in the New Young Players (NYP) category

What is the squad size and salary purse for each team?

• Each team can have a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 25 players.
• Each franchise starts with a salary purse of ₹5 crores, adjusted for any players already retained.
• Teams are allowed a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 overseas players in their squads.

Remaining purse value of all 12 teams:

• Dabang Delhi – ₹4.56 Cr
• Bengaluru Bulls – ₹4.12 Cr
• Gujarat Giants – ₹4.08 Cr
• Bengal Warriorz – ₹3.95 Cr
• Telugu Titans – ₹3.62 Cr
• Patna Pirates – ₹3.55 Cr
• Jaipur Pink Panthers – ₹3.30 Cr
• Tamil Thailavas – ₹2.55 Cr
• Puneri Paltan – ₹2.49 Cr
• Haryana Steelers – ₹2.46 Cr
• U Mumba – ₹2.31 Cr
• UP Yoddhas – ₹1.86

What are the player categories and base prices?

Players have been categorized into four groups:

• Category A – ₹30 lakh
• Category B – ₹20 lakh
• Category C – ₹13 lakh
• Category D – ₹9 lakh

Each group is further divided into Raiders, Defenders, and All-Rounders, allowing franchises to shape their squads based on strategic needs.

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