The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) concluded its landmark fifth season with a spectacle that extended far beyond the wrestling mat, reaffirming its place as one of India’s most high-profile and culturally resonant sporting properties.
After a seven-year hiatus, the league’s reimagined return in 2026 delivered elite competition, packed arenas, and an extraordinary convergence of political leaders, Bollywood stars, sporting icons and digital influencers, underlining the sport’s growing mainstream appeal in India.
The season ended in dramatic fashion with Haryana Thunders crowned champions of PWL 2026 after a gripping final. The champions took home the prestigious trophy and a prize purse of ₹1.5 crore, while runners-up Delhi Dangal Warriors earned ₹75 lakh following a fiercely contested campaign that showcased the league’s renewed competitive depth and international quality.
On the mat, individual brilliance defined the tournament. Delhi Dangal Warriors’ Turan Bayramov was named Player of the Tournament after an extraordinary unbeaten run, winning all seven of his bouts in the men’s 57 kg category. His consistency and dominance earned him a ₹2.5 lakh award and established him as one of the standout performers of the season. Punjab Royals’ Chandermohan finished as the highest overall point scorer, further highlighting the league’s competitive intensity across teams and weight classes.
Beyond sport, PWL 2026 drew powerful backing from India’s political leadership, reinforcing wrestling’s growing institutional recognition. The final was graced by Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Honourable Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, whose presence symbolised the government’s support for the professionalisation of Indian wrestling. Senior leaders including Shri Mahesh Sharma, Shri Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Shri Pankaj Singh and Shri Dushyant Chautala were also in attendance at various stages of the tournament, reflecting the league’s strong connect within India’s sporting and governance ecosystem.
Bollywood and popular culture played a significant role in amplifying the league’s visibility. Veteran actor and Member of Parliament Hema Malini was a regular presence, accompanied by Esha Deol, strengthening PWL’s link with mainstream Indian audiences. A host of other high-profile celebrities including Nora Fatehi, Sara Ali Khan, Sonam Bajwa, Shehnaaz Gill and Zoya Afroz added glamour to the semi-finals and final, helping the league trend across digital platforms and attracting new fans beyond traditional wrestling followers.
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The league’s cross-sport appeal was evident with Indian cricket stars Shreyas Iyer and Aakash Chopra attending the final, a powerful endorsement of PWL’s rising stature within India’s broader sporting ecosystem. Their presence highlighted how professional wrestling is increasingly being viewed alongside established leagues in cricket, football and kabaddi as a marquee sporting product.
Digital creators and influencers also played a vital role in driving PWL 2026’s reach. Elvish Yadav, one of India’s most influential online personalities, became a regular fixture at Haryana Thunders’ matches, generating massive youth engagement and social media traction. Alongside him, a diverse group of content creators, finance educators and entertainment influencers amplified the league organically across platforms, giving PWL an unprecedented digital footprint during its comeback season.
Reflecting on the season, PWL Chairman and Promoter Dayaan Farooqui said the league had entered a new phase of growth. He noted that the presence of leaders from politics, cinema, sport and the digital ecosystem throughout the season reflected how PWL has evolved into a truly mainstream cultural and sporting property. According to him, the 2026 season laid a strong foundation for the future of Indian wrestling on the global stage.
CEO and Promoter Akhil Gupta echoed this sentiment, emphasising that the response to PWL 2026 both inside arenas and across digital platforms validated the league’s reimagined direction. From competitive excellence to fan engagement and stakeholder confidence, the season demonstrated what a professionally structured, athlete-first league can achieve.
The 2026 season marked PWL’s return after a seven-year gap, featuring six franchises Delhi Dangal Warriors, Haryana Thunders, Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals, Punjab Royals, Maharashtra Kesari and UP Dominators. A total of 63 wrestlers from 16 nations competed across men’s and women’s weight categories, including Olympic medallists, world champions and emerging Indian talent. The fast-paced, spectator-friendly format, with nine bouts per tie, delivered drama, intensity and accessibility for fans.
As the curtain falls on PWL 2026, the league stands as a powerful statement of Indian wrestling’s rising stature. With elite sport, celebrity culture, political leadership and digital influence converging seamlessly, the season has marked a defining chapter in the evolution of professional wrestling in India one that positions the Pro Wrestling League as a modern, mainstream and globally relevant sporting platform.
