Why is the start of PKL 13 being delayed?
PKL 13 faces an uncertain future as the auction and start date remain unannounced.
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is the second-most-watched league in India and is the premier tournament for kabaddi players across the globe.
The number of people watching this league has increased every year. The 12th edition of the league ended in October 2025, and ever since then, supporters and fans have been waiting to see their favourite teams and players in action.
However, there has been no official confirmation of the start date of PKL 13. The auction, which usually takes place about two months before the start of the league, has not yet been announced either. The fans are getting worried, and there has been uncertainty among them.
The Asian Games 2026 will begin soon, and the event will also feature kabaddi, with athletes from various Asian countries representing their national teams and vying for medals. However, even after this tournament, there is no concrete information on when PKL 13 will begin.
With this in mind, let’s look at the reasons behind the delay in the start of Pro Kabaddi League 13.
Media rights deal is a major issue
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The international Kabaddi schedule is packed with tournaments. The Asian Games, where the Kabaddi competition is set to begin on September 21, are considered one of Kabaddi’s most important events, alongside the World Cup.
Teams have been preparing for months, conducting several coaching camps, after which they selected their squads for the event. The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship will be held after the Asian Games, and the Indian team will also participate.
Along with international kabaddi, another reason behind Pro Kabaddi League’s delay is that Star Sports’ media rights deal for the league, which was renewed for five years, ended in 2025.
Now, according to our sources, it has not been renewed, primarily because Mashal Sports is not satisfied with the amount Star Sports is offering. They are looking for other alternatives, and talks are ongoing.
These points suggest that we might not see PKL 13 happening very soon and may have to wait for a while to watch our favourite franchises in action again. It has come as a disappointment to all PKL fans, and they will be expecting an announcement regarding the start of the upcoming season soon.
When will the kabaddi event at the Asian Games 2026 start?
The Kabaddi event at the 2026 Asian Games is scheduled to commence on September 21 and will continue until September 26.
Why has PKL 13 been delayed?
PKL 13 has been delayed due to a packed international kabaddi schedule and ongoing uncertainty over the league’s media rights.
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