The return of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) in 2026 marks a significant reset for professional wrestling in India.
After a gap of six years following the 2019 season, the league has been reintroduced with a revised structure, new ownership groups, and a sharper focus on long-term sustainability rather than short-term spectacle. Operating under a public–private partnership model approved by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the revamped PWL aims to position itself as a genuine high-performance platform for Indian wrestlers ahead of major international cycles.
At the heart of the revival are six franchises, each backed by corporate groups with experience in infrastructure, technology, real estate, and sports management. The emphasis this time is not just on star power, but on governance, financial clarity, and athlete pathways.
The Six Franchises and Their New Identities
One of the most noticeable changes in PWL 2026 is the rebranding of franchises, reflecting ownership transitions and a renewed regional connect.
Haryana Thunders, are owned by industrialist Vikas Parasrampuria. Given Haryana’s unmatched contribution to Indian wrestling, this franchise carries particular importance. The Thunders have invested heavily in elite women wrestlers, headlined by Olympic champion Yui Susaki, signalling an intent to dominate both competitively and culturally. Earlier the team was Haryana Hammers.
Punjab Royals, one of the most successful teams in earlier editions, is now under the stewardship of the CDR Group led by Dharam Pal Singh Rathi. With strong roots in infrastructure and real estate, the franchise remains focused on stability and depth, staying true to Punjab’s reputation as a wrestling stronghold.
Delhi Dangalz Warriorz are owned by EaseMyTrip founder Nishant Pitti. The entry of a major travel-tech brand into wrestling reflects the league’s broader commercial ambitions. Delhi’s squad construction suggests a balance between Indian core wrestlers and experienced foreign campaigners, anchored by high-profile domestic names like Sujeet Kalkal.
Maharashtra Kesari, a culturally resonant name, is backed by the Sanraj Group led by Rajdip Gupta. The franchise draws inspiration from the traditional ‘Maharashtra Kesari’ wrestling legacy while operating within a modern professional framework. Their big-ticket signing of Polish heavyweight Robert Baran underlines a clear focus on physical dominance in the upper weight categories.
UP Dominators, owned by Rubics Realty under managing director Suhan Shetty, emerged as one of the most aggressive bidders at the auction. With Uttar Pradesh traditionally underrepresented at the elite level despite a vast talent base, the Dominators have positioned themselves as a franchise aiming to bridge that gap through investment and exposure.
Completing the lineup are the Tigers of Mumbai Dangalz, a joint venture between Aspect Group and APCO Group. Aspect’s prior experience in running sports franchises, combined with APCO’s infrastructure expertise, makes Mumbai one of the most professionally equipped teams in the league.
Auction Dynamics and Financial Signals
The PWL 2026 auction, held in New Delhi, was a clear indicator of the league’s renewed financial confidence. Over 300 wrestlers from 20 countries were available, with franchises collectively spending more than ₹11 crore on 63 athletes. Each team operated with a ₹2 crore purse and was required to sign a minimum of nine wrestlers, including at least four women. The most striking feature of the auction was the premium placed on proven international pedigree, particularly in women’s wrestling.
Japanese Olympic champion Yui Susaki became the most expensive signing in league history at ₹60 lakh for Haryana Thunders. Indian stars Sujeet Kalkal (Delhi Dangalz Warriorz) and Antim Panghal (UP Dominators) fetched ₹52 lakh each, underlining the market value of Indian wrestlers with global credibility. Aman Sehrawat’s ₹51 lakh move to Mumbai further reinforced this trend.
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The league continues with a mixed-gender format, a defining feature of PWL since inception. Nearly 44 percent of all bouts will feature women, a figure unmatched by most Indian professional leagues. The mandatory inclusion of Category C wrestlers, developmental athletes with lower base prices ensures that emerging talent trains and competes alongside Olympic and World Championship medalists.
The revised 3–2–1 match format, with three progressively shorter periods, has been retained to enhance intensity and television appeal. All matches will be played at the Noida Indoor Stadium over a condensed 17-day window, allowing tighter broadcast control and consistent playing conditions.
Beyond entertainment, PWL 2026 has been framed as a preparatory ecosystem for Indian wrestling’s international ambitions. Competing against elite foreign wrestlers in a high-pressure team environment offers Indian athletes exposure that traditional domestic tournaments cannot replicate. As India looks ahead to the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and ultimately Los Angeles 2028, the Pro Wrestling League’s revival represents more than a comeback. It is an attempt to institutionalize professionalism in one of the country’s most medal-rich Olympic sports, aligning tradition with modern sport governance.
If sustained with consistency and integrity, PWL 2026 could become a defining pillar in India’s wrestling pathway not just a league, but a long-term performance engine.
