PKL Season 12: All you need to know about the new format and rules
The 12th season of the Pro Kabaddi League is starting on 29th April 2025. The same 12 teams will once again participate in the upcoming edition, but some major structural changes have taken place with regard to the format, points table, playoff structure, total number of games etc. It is important for you to know all the changes that the Pro Kabaddi League have introduced for the 12th season so that you won’t be confused once the season starts.
Here are all the changes the PKL officials have introduced for the 12th season of the Pro Kabaddi League:
- Teams will play 18 league stage matches
Earlier, teams used to play 22 games each in the Pro Kabaddi League league stage. Due to concerns about the tournament's length, the league stage matches have now been reduced to 18 per team. Each team will play 18 matches in the group stage, making up a total of 108 group stage games. Earlier, the number was 132.
- Points system reintroduced
Earlier, the winning team would earn five points, while the losing team received one point if the margin of defeat was less than seven points. In case of a tie, the points would be shared.
The organisers have now come up with a rather simplified approach. The winning team will now secure two points, regardless of the margin of victory. The losing team won’t get any points if they lose by just a one-point margin.
Also, tie-breakers have been introduced in the group-stage fixtures, which means no game will end in a tie.
- Tie Breaker rules:
If a game ends in a tie, the winner will be decided through a three-stage tie-breaker system. Both teams will field seven players, including five different raiders, who will raid alternately. Raiders are not allowed to return with an empty raid — a point must be scored on each raid, either by the raider or by the defending team. The baulk line will act as a baulk line cum bonus line. Each team will make five raids, and if the scores are still level, the result will be decided by a Golden Raid.
- Revamped Playoff format
Earlier, the top six teams would secure qualification for the playoffs. But, now, as per the new playoff structure, the top eight teams will have secured qualification and will have the chance to win the trophy.
Play-ins: 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
The teams finishing from 5th to 8th will face off in the play-in matches. The number seven team will take on the number eight, while the fifth-place team will take on the sixth-place side. The winners will progress to the eliminator 1 clash.
The teams that finished in third and fourth place will take on each other in a Mini-Qualifier. The winner will progress to the Eliminator three, while the losing team will take on Eliminator 2.
The top two teams, 1st and 2nd placed teams, will clash in Qualifier 1. The winners will go to the final, while the losing team will play in Qualifier 2.
Eliminators:
Eliminator 1: The two winning teams will take on each other in the Eliminator 1 clash. The winner will progress to Eliminator 2, while the losing team will go back home.
Eliminator 2: The losing team of the third and fourth placed teams, which took on each other in the Mini-Qualifier, will take on the winner of Eliminator 1.
Eliminator 3: The winner of Eliminator 2 will clash against the team that won the Mini-Qualifier (that took place between the 3rd and 4th-placed teams).
Qualifier 2:
The teams that lost in Qualifier 1 will clash against the winner of Eliminator 3.
PKL 12 Final:
The winner of Qualifier 1 will take on the team that won Qualifier 2 in the final of PKL 12.
