PKL 12 Playoffs: Eight Teams Set for Knockout Stage Battle in Delhi
The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 has reached its final stage, and the PKL 12 playoffs picture is now clear. After 108 matches in the league stage, eight teams have confirmed their spots for the knockout rounds that will be held in Delhi from October 25 to October 31, 2025. This season brings a new format where more teams get a chance to compete for the title through an extended playoff structure.
The PKL 12 playoffs will feature Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi K.C. at the top two positions, followed by Bengaluru Bulls, Telugu Titans, Haryana Steelers, U Mumba, Jaipur Pink Panthers, and Patna Pirates in positions three to eight. However, the exact order of teams from position three to eight may change as final league matches are played.
Top Two Teams Secure Direct Entry to Qualifier 1
Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi K.C. have earned the right to play in Qualifier 1 after finishing at the top of the points table. Both teams ended with 26 points from 18 matches, winning 13 games and losing five each. Puneri Paltan holds the first position due to a better score difference of +88 compared to Dabang Delhi’s +38.
The PKL 12 playoffs format gives these top two teams a huge benefit. The winner of Qualifier 1 will go straight to the final, while the losing team gets another chance through Qualifier 2. This means both Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi K.C. need to win just one more match to reach the grand finale on October 31.
Puneri Paltan has been in excellent form throughout Season 12, scoring 357 total raid points and 214 defence points in 18 matches. Their highest score of the season was 57 points against Jaipur Pink Panthers, winning by a margin of 24 points. The team has a 41% successful raid rate and 43% successful tackle rate, showing balance in both departments.
Dabang Delhi K.C. has also been strong this season, led by captain Ashu Malik who has scored 146 raid points in 12 matches with an average of 12.17 points per match. The team’s defence includes veteran Iranian defender Fazel Atrachali, who is looking to guide Delhi to PKL glory. Their balanced approach has helped them stay at the top throughout the season.
Teams Three to Eight Fight for Better Positions
The PKL 12 playoffs spots from position three to eight are filled by Bengaluru Bulls, Telugu Titans, Haryana Steelers, U Mumba, Jaipur Pink Panthers, and Patna Pirates. The final rankings among these six teams may still change based on remaining league matches.
Bengaluru Bulls currently occupy the third position with strong performances from their raiders and defenders. The team has been consistent throughout the season despite missing legendary raider Pardeep Narwal, who retired before PKL 12 began. Bulls will be looking to use their playoff experience to make a deep run in the PKL 12 playoffs.
Telugu Titans hold the fourth spot and have shown good form in recent matches. The team has been playing without their former star Pawan Sehrawat, who moved to Tamil Thalaivas for Season 12. Instead, raiders like Bharat and captain Vijay Malik have led the attack for Telugu Titans. Their ability to win close matches has been key to reaching the PKL 12 playoffs.
Haryana Steelers, the defending champions from Season 11, are placed fifth in the current standings. The team features star raider Naveen Kumar, who has been in excellent form this season. Naveen’s game-changing raids and super tackles from defenders like Jaideep have kept Haryana competitive. They will look to defend their title in the PKL 12 playoffs.
U Mumba sits in the sixth position after a season of close matches and tough battles. The team has experienced heartbreaking losses in tie-breakers but has shown character to bounce back. Their raider Ajit Chouhan has delivered several Super 10 performances, making them a dangerous team in the PKL 12 playoffs.
Jaipur Pink Panthers occupy seventh place and are the inaugural champions of Pro Kabaddi League. The team has veteran raider Arjun Deshwal leading their attack and will rely on his experience in the PKL 12 playoffs. Their defensive unit needs to step up if they want to progress through multiple elimination matches.
Patna Pirates are currently eighth and hold the final PKL 12 playoffs spot. The three-time PKL champions have struggled for consistency this season but managed to secure qualification. They were runners-up in Season 11 and will be hoping to regain their championship form during the PKL 12 playoffs.
New Eight-Team Playoff Format Explained
For the first time in Pro Kabaddi League history, the PKL 12 playoffs will feature eight teams competing through nine matches. This new format replaces the old six-team system and gives more franchises a shot at the trophy. The structure includes Play-in matches, a Mini-Qualifier, three Eliminators, two Qualifiers, and the Final.
The PKL 12 playoffs format starts with teams placed fifth to eighth competing in Play-in matches. The fifth-placed team will face the eighth-placed team in Play-in 1, while the sixth-placed team takes on the seventh-placed team in Play-in 2. These matches will be held on October 25, 2025, at Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi. The losing teams in both Play-in matches will be eliminated immediately from the PKL 12 playoffs.
The winners of the two Play-in matches will then meet each other in Eliminator 1. This match decides which team moves forward in the PKL 12 playoffs, with the loser going home. The winner of Eliminator 1 advances to face another team in Eliminator 2.
Meanwhile, the teams finishing third and fourth will play in a Mini-Qualifier. The winner of this match goes directly to Eliminator 3, while the loser drops down to play Eliminator 2. This gives both third and fourth-placed teams a good chance to progress deep into the PKL 12 playoffs.
The structure of the PKL 12 playoffs ensures that better-ranked teams have shorter paths to the final. The top two teams only need to win two matches to become champions, while teams ranked fifth to eighth must win four consecutive matches to lift the trophy. This rewards teams for performing well during the league stage.
Schedule and Venue Details
All PKL 12 playoffs matches will take place at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi. The venue has hosted many important kabaddi matches and provides a great atmosphere for the knockout stages. The tournament organizers chose Delhi to host the PKL 12 playoffs to give fans from North India a chance to watch live action.
The PKL 12 playoffs schedule begins on Friday, October 25, 2025, with the Play-in matches. These matches will determine the final two teams to join the main playoff bracket. Saturday, October 26, marks the start of the Eliminator and Mini-Qualifier rounds.
Over the next few days from October 27 to October 29, the remaining Eliminators and Qualifier 1 will be played. These matches will narrow down the field to the final two teams. The PKL 12 playoffs will build up excitement with each passing day as teams battle for survival.
The grand finale of the PKL 12 playoffs is scheduled for Friday, October 31, 2025, at 8:00 PM IST. This final match will crown the champion of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12. Tickets for all PKL 12 playoffs matches, including the final, are available for purchase on District by Zomato.
Road to the Championship
The PKL 12 playoffs structure creates an exciting path where any of the eight teams can still become champions. However, teams that finished higher in the league stage have clear benefits. Puneri Paltan and Dabang Delhi K.C. are just two wins away from lifting the trophy.
Teams finishing third and fourth also have a good path through the Mini-Qualifier system. They get two chances to progress, making their league stage performances valuable. For teams in positions five to eight, the PKL 12 playoffs become a survival test where one loss means elimination.
As the PKL 12 playoffs begin on October 25, all eight qualified teams will arrive in Delhi with hopes of winning the title. The knockout matches promise high-intensity kabaddi with everything on the line. From Play-ins to the grand finale on October 31, the PKL 12 playoffs will showcase the best of Indian kabaddi.
