Pro Wrestling League Returns for Season 6 in Delhi, Asian Games Champions Felicitated

The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) will return to India’s sporting calendar in January 2027, with Season 6 scheduled to take place at the KD Jadhav Wrestling Arena in New Delhi from January 9 to 26. 

The announcement, made on October 9, also featured the felicitation of India’s medal-winning wrestling contingent from the 2026 Asian Games, bringing together the league’s comeback and the achievements of the country’s leading grapplers. Organised under the aegis of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the competition will feature six franchises, 86 wrestlers and 34 international medallists. The roster will combine established Indian stars with leading international competitors, including Japanese Olympic champion Yui Susaki.

Delhi’s selection as host is significant for a league that plans to move to a different franchise city each season. With its established wrestling culture and strong connection to the sport, the capital will provide a prominent stage for PWL’s return.

The launch event celebrated six members of India’s medal-winning wrestling contingent at the Asian Games 2026: Sujeet Kalkal, Aman Sehrawat, Antim Panghal, Nitesh Siwach, Deepak Punia and Sunil Kumar. Kalkal was honoured after winning gold in the men’s freestyle 65kg category, while Sehrawat added an Asian Games gold medal to the Olympic bronze he won at Paris 2024. The felicitation recognised the athletes’ achievements and their contribution to Indian wrestling on the continental stage.

For Sehrawat, receiving the honour in Delhi carried particular significance.

“Winning medals at the Olympics and the Asian Games has been the reward for years of sacrifice, discipline and hard work. To be felicitated for these achievements and to receive this honour in Delhi, in front of the wrestling community and fans, feels truly special,” he said.

Sehrawat also welcomed the league’s return, expressing hope that it would help wrestling reach new audiences and inspire the next generation. Kalkal highlighted the role PWL had played in his development, pointing to the exposure and experience of competing alongside and against some of the world’s best wrestlers.

“The Pro Wrestling League has played an important role in my journey as a wrestler and has given me opportunities that have helped me grow both on and off the mat,” Kalkal said. His comments underline one of the league’s central objectives: providing Indian wrestlers with opportunities to compete against elite international opposition in a high-profile team environment.

Six franchises and 86 wrestlers set for Season 6

Season 6 will feature six franchises competing for the title: Tiigers of Mumbai Dangals, Haryana Thunders, Delhi Dangal Warriors, Maharashtra Kesari, Punjab Royals and UP Dominators. The 86-member field will include 34 Olympians and Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championship medallists. Alongside Susaki, the participation of India’s leading wrestlers is expected to provide a strong competitive foundation for the tournament.

The competition will cover nine Olympic weight divisions, comprising five men’s categories and four women’s categories.

Men’s categories: 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg and 125kg.

Women’s categories: 53kg, 57kg, 62kg and 76kg.

The structure offers franchises opportunities to build balanced line-ups across weight classes, making recruitment, tactical planning and the management of individual match-ups important elements of the team competition. For Indian wrestlers, the league also offers an opportunity to test themselves against international opponents outside the traditional championship format.

Power Minute adds pressure to every bout

PWL Season 6 will retain its broadcast-oriented match structure of two three-minute rounds. The format will also feature the ‘Power Minute’, during which scoring points are doubled in the final 60 seconds of a bout. The rule is designed to increase the stakes towards the end of matches, potentially changing the outcome of contests even when one wrestler appears to hold an advantage. It also places a premium on tactical awareness, stamina and decision-making under pressure.

For spectators, the format offers a clear late-match storyline, while wrestlers must manage their energy and scoring opportunities carefully across the six-minute contest. PWL Chairman Dayaan Farooqui said the league aimed to celebrate India’s wrestling heritage while taking the sport towards new global benchmarks.

“Our vision has always been to take the League to a different franchise city each season, bringing world-class wrestling closer to fans across the country,” Farooqui said. Chief Executive Officer Akhil Gupta described Delhi as an ideal setting for the league’s return, citing the capital’s wrestling heritage and its potential to connect with sports audiences.

Season 6 will build on the league’s history, which began in 2015 and has featured five editions of franchise-based competition. The previous season ended with Haryana Thunders defeating Delhi Dangal Warriors 5-4 in a closely contested final to retain their title. That result provides an early reference point for the upcoming campaign, although the six franchises will enter the new season with the opportunity to reshape their line-ups and challenge for the championship.

Haryana will look to defend their crown, while Delhi Dangal Warriors will have the added motivation of competing in their home city. The other franchises will seek to build combinations capable of challenging the finalists from Season 5.

The return of PWL is an important development for India’s professional wrestling landscape. By combining international stars, Indian champions and a team-based format, the league aims to bring elite competition closer to fans while creating a platform for wrestlers to gain experience against world-class opposition. The felicitation of the Asian Games medallists provided a fitting opening to the announcement, recognising the achievements that continue to raise Indian wrestling’s profile.

From January 9 to 26, the KD Jadhav Wrestling Arena will host the next chapter of the league. With six franchises, 86 wrestlers and a format designed to keep bouts competitive until the final seconds, Season 6 will seek to build on PWL’s legacy and establish a new benchmark for professional wrestling in India.