The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) is set for a high-profile return with the official announcement of its Season 5 schedule, marking the league’s comeback after a comprehensive restructuring.
The fifth edition of PWL will run from January 15 to February 1, 2026, at the Noida Indoor Stadium, bringing elite Indian and international wrestling talent back into a compact, high-intensity competitive window. The season will open on January 15 with a marquee clash between Punjab Royals and UP Dominators, a fixture that immediately places two ambitious squads under the spotlight. With renewed formats, revamped rosters and record-breaking auctions, PWL 2026 aims to re-establish itself as India’s premier franchise-based wrestling competition.
All matches will be broadcast live on Sony Ten 4 and Sony Ten 5, with coverage beginning at 8:00 PM for single fixtures. On double-header days, the first bout will start at 6:00 PM. Fans can also follow every contest through live streaming on the Sony LIV digital platform, ensuring nationwide accessibility for the league.
Season 5 will feature six franchises: Delhi Dangal Warriors, Haryana Thunders, Tiigers of Mumbai Dangal, Maharashtra Kesari, Punjab Royals and UP Dominators. The league stage will follow a round-robin format, with a total of 15 matches spread across 13 matchdays. At the end of the league phase, the top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for January 30 and 31, before the champions are crowned in the PWL 2026 Final on Sunday, February 1.
The schedule includes two consecutive double-header days on January 16 and 17, adding early momentum to the competition. On January 16, Maharashtra Kesari will take on Delhi Dangal Warriors in the opening fixture, followed by Punjab Royals clashing with Haryana Thunders later in the evening. The following day will see Tiigers of Mumbai Dangal begin their campaign against UP Dominators, before Delhi Dangal Warriors return to the mat against Haryana Thunders.
Each league tie will feature nine bouts across multiple weight categories, maintaining PWL’s distinctive team-based scoring format. The structure ensures that both men’s and women’s wrestling remain central to match outcomes, while also offering fans a consistent blend of tactical match-ups and high-stakes individual contests. The final league-stage fixture is scheduled for January 29, when Punjab Royals will face Delhi Dangal Warriors, a match that could prove decisive in shaping the semi-final line-up.
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Strategic rest days have been built into the calendar on January 22 and January 24 to support athlete recovery and maintain performance standards across the tightly packed schedule. With multiple international wrestlers and Olympic-level athletes in action, the league has prioritised workload management without diluting competitive intensity.
PWL 2026 will showcase the elite talent assembled during the recently concluded auctions, where franchises collectively spent over ₹11 crore to secure 63 Indian and international wrestlers. The auctions underlined the league’s growing financial muscle and its intent to attract world-class performers.
Headlining the season is Japan’s Yui Susaki, the Olympic champion and four-time world champion, who became the most expensive signing in PWL history after joining Haryana Thunders for ₹60 lakh. Her arrival significantly strengthens the women’s competition and raises the league’s international profile. On the men’s side, world championship bronze medalist Robert Baran was picked up by Maharashtra Kesari for ₹55 lakh, adding depth and experience to their roster.
Indian wrestlers are expected to play a defining role throughout the season. Antim Panghal, one of the country’s most consistent performers in recent years, was signed by UP Dominators for ₹52 lakh, while reigning U23 world champion Sujeet Kalkal joined Delhi Dangal Warriors for the same amount. Paris Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat will represent Tiigers of Mumbai Dangal after being acquired for ₹51 lakh, and Punjab Royals further bolstered their women’s line-up by signing Ana Godinez for ₹46 lakh.
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With a balanced mix of Olympic medalists, world champions, and emerging Indian stars, PWL 2026 promises a competitive season where team strategy, squad depth, and consistency across weight categories will determine success. The return of the league also provides a crucial platform for Indian wrestlers to compete regularly against top international opponents in a high-pressure, broadcast-driven environment.
PWL 2026 – Key Schedule Summary
- Dates: January 15 – February 1, 2026
- Venue: Noida Indoor Stadium
- Season Opener: January 15 – Punjab Royals vs UP Dominators
- Double-Headers: January 16 & 17 (6:00 PM onwards)
- League Matches: 15 matches across 13 days
- Rest Days: January 22 & January 24
- Semi-finals: January 30 & 31
- Final: February 1, 2026 (Sunday)
- Broadcast: Sony Ten 4, Sony Ten 5 | Live streaming on Sony LIV
