PKL 12: What is Play-ins? Know about new rule introduced in Play-offs

Vizag to host the opening match of PKL 12.

The thrill of the Pro Kabaddi League 12 among fans is inversely proportional to the number of days left until its commencement. PKL 12 will begin on Friday, August 29, 2025. The first leg will be played in Vizag. After that, the caravan will move towards Jaipur, Chennai, and Delhi, bringing the PKL experience closer to fans in India.

The tournament opens with a blockbuster weekend in Vizag at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, on Friday, with Telugu Titans facing Tamil Thalaivas and Bengaluru Bulls locking horns with Puneri Paltan in the second clash of the day.

Ahead of the upcoming season, the Pro Kabaddi League announced significant format changes for PKL 12, introducing an enhanced league stage and revamped playoff structure designed to intensify competition and provide fans with more thrilling Kabaddi action.

Talking about the new play-off format. Now, 8 teams instead of 6 will get a chance to play the final. Let’s take a look in detail-

Also Read: PKL 12: List of all captains in Pro Kabaddi 2025

What is Play-ins?

This season will also introduce a new playoff structure along with the Play-Ins. For the first time, the top 8 teams from the league stage will get a chance to qualify for the playoffs, opening up opportunities for more franchises to compete for the trophy.

At the same time, the Play-ins ensure that every league-stage position carries greater weight, making each match more crucial than ever.

How will the new Play-offs structure work in PKL 12?

1. Teams finishing 5th to 8th will battle in Play-in matches, with the winners progressing to the Eliminators.

2. Teams finishing 3rd and 4th will face off in a Mini-Qualifier. The winner advances, while the loser gets another chance later in the playoffs.

Also Read: PKL 12: List of all vice-captains in Pro Kabaddi 2025

3. The top two league-stage teams (1st and 2nd) will meet in Qualifier 1, with the winner going directly to the Final. The losing team will have another shot at the Final via Qualifier 2.

4. The Playoffs journey will now flow through three Eliminators and two Qualifiers, ensuring a thrilling build-up to the showdown.

This new structure increases excitement, keeps more fans engaged for longer, and raises the stakes in each match en route to the championship.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Kabaddi on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.