The Pro Kabaddi League has excited fans since 2014, with each season bringing new stories of victory and heartbreak. Teams compete fiercely for the best PKL trophy.
Jaipur Pink Panthers were the first champions in 2014, while Haryana Steelers lifted their maiden title in 2024. In between, many teams have created unforgettable moments on the kabaddi mat.
Patna Pirates won three consecutive titles from 2016 to 2018, and teams like U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls, Bengal Warriorz, Dabang Delhi, and Puneri Paltan have also left their mark.
This article presents a full season-wise winners table and detailed analysis of each championship run.
Pro Kabaddi League Overview
The Pro Kabaddi League is the biggest kabaddi tournament in the world, turning a traditional Indian sport into a modern, exciting spectacle.
Created by Mashal Sports and JioHotstar, the league features twelve teams playing across multiple cities. Matches take place in top-class indoor stadiums with excellent facilities.
The tournament has league stages and playoffs. Teams advance through group matches, eliminators, and semi-finals to the final each season.
The Pro Kabaddi League 2025 season 12 begins on August 29, 2025, and the first match will see Telugu Titans face Tamil Thalaivas at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Vizag.
What Does a PKL Winning Team Get?
PKL winners enjoy both fame and rewards that make their victory special. Winning the championship brings recognition and financial benefits to the entire team.
The team gets the PKL trophy and medals for every player and staff member. Prize money is usually around ₹1–2 crore, giving a significant boost to the franchise.
Victories also bring more media attention, fans, and brand value. Players often get higher market value in future auctions, and franchises gain sponsorships and business opportunities..
PKL Winners List (Season-wise Table)
Check out the complete PKL winners list season-wise to see which teams have claimed the championship title over the years
| Season | Year | Winner | Runner-up | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | U Mumba | 35–24 |
| 2 | 2015 | U Mumba | Bengaluru Bulls | 36–30 |
| 3 | 2016 | Patna Pirates | U Mumba | 31–28 |
| 4 | 2016 | Patna Pirates | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 37–29 |
| 5 | 2017 | Patna Pirates | Gujarat Giants | 55–38 |
| 6 | 2018 | Bengaluru Bulls | Gujarat Giants | 38–33 |
| 7 | 2019 | Bengal Warriorz | Dabang Delhi K.C. | 39–34 |
| 8 | 2021–22 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Patna Pirates | 37–36 |
| 9 | 2022 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Puneri Paltan | 33–29 |
| 10 | 2023–24 | Puneri Paltan | Haryana Steelers | 28–25 |
| 11 | 2024 | Haryana Steelers | Patna Pirates | 32–23 |
Detailed Season-Wise Breakdown of PKL Winners
PKL has been a rollercoaster of passion, skill, and spirit. Here’s a breakdown of every season’s proud champions.
Season 1 (2014): Jaipur Pink Panthers
Jaipur Pink Panthers made history by winning the very first PKL title in 2014. They defeated U Mumba 35-24 in the final, bouncing back strongly after losing their opening match.
With 10 wins in 14 league games, they proved to be the most consistent team of the season.
Star raider Maninder Singh was the backbone of their attack, scoring 137 points and finishing third overall behind Anup Kumar and Rahul Chaudhari.
His reliable performances kept the Pink Panthers ahead throughout the campaign.
In the final, Maninder’s Super 10 sealed Jaipur’s win and the first PKL title. This historic victory made them the league’s first champions and set the stage for everything that followed.
Season 2 (2015): U Mumba
U Mumba bounced back from their Season 1 final loss to lift the Season 2 championship. They dominated the league with 12 wins in 14 matches and showcased the strongest defense.
A 36-30 victory over Bengaluru Bulls in the final completed their remarkable campaign.
Their defense stood out all season, recording the most tackle points (196) and the best average tackle points per match (12.25). Manjeet Chhillar was named MVP for his brilliant defensive contributions.
In the final, Shabeer Bappu’s Super Raid in the closing minutes sealed the title for U Mumba.
The win proved that defense could decide championships and shaped team strategies in the seasons that followed.
Season 3 (2016): Patna Pirates
Patna Pirates won their first PKL title by defeating defending champions U Mumba 31-28 in a close final. This victory marked the beginning of their successful period in the league.
Star raider Pardeep Narwal led the charts with 116 points, finishing as the top scorer of the season.
Rohit Kumar was named MVP for his excellent all-around performance and played a key role in the team’s success.
On the defensive side, Sandeep Narwal stood strong with 53 tackle points, ending as the second-best defender of the season.
The final was tightly contested, but Patna stayed calm and finished the job. Rohit Kumar’s 7 points in the title clash proved crucial, helping the Pirates lift their first trophy and establish themselves as strong contenders in PKL.
Season 4 (2016): Patna Pirates
Patna Pirates defended their crown in Season 4, becoming the first team to win back-to-back PKL titles.
They topped the league table with 10 wins in 14 matches and continued their success even after Rohit Kumar moved to Bengaluru Bulls.
Pardeep Narwal once again led the way in attack with 133 points, while Iranian star Fazel Atrachali fought the defense with 45 tackle points.
In the final against Jaipur Pink Panthers, Pardeep stole the show with 16 points, guiding Patna to a 37-29 win.
This second straight title made them the most successful PKL team at that time.
Season 5 (2017): Patna Pirates
Patna Pirates made history in Season 5 by becoming the first team to win three PKL titles in a row.
Even with four new teams joining the league, they stayed ahead of the competition and scored a record 1,050 points, the most by any team in a single season.
Pardeep Narwal was the star once again, breaking several records. His famous 8-point raid against Haryana Steelers became an iconic PKL moment.
He finished the season with 369 raid points, 18 super raids, and 19 Super 10s, earning the MVP award.
In the final, Patna dominated Gujarat Giants 55-38 to seal the title. It was a one-sided contest that showed their complete control and confirmed their place as one of the greatest teams in Indian sports.
Season 6 (2018): Bengaluru Bulls
Bengaluru Bulls ended Patna Pirates’ dominance by winning their first PKL title in Season 6. Captain Rohit Kumar provided leadership, while Pawan Sehrawat became the breakout star of the tournament.
With 282 points, Sehrawat won the MVP award and was declared one of the league’s best raiders.
Bengaluru’s balanced squad and smart tactics helped them stay ahead in key moments, showing strong teamwork and character throughout the season.
In the final, Pawan delivered a brilliant 22-point performance to guide Bengaluru to a 38-33 win.
This first title ended Patna’s rule and showed that new teams were ready to challenge the old champions.
Season 7 (2019): Bengal Warriorz
Bengal Warriorz won their first PKL title in Season 7 with a strong team effort. Their consistent performance throughout the season set them apart from the competition.
The final against Dabang Delhi K.C. was intense, especially after captain Maninder Singh was ruled out due to injury, adding extra pressure on the team.
In the final, Iranian all-rounder Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh stepped up with a brilliant Super 10. He led the team in Maninder’s absence and helped them secure victory.
Naveen Kumar had a great season and was named MVP, even though Delhi lost.
Bengal Warriorz defeated Dabang Delhi K.C. 39-34 in a thrilling match between two top teams. Nabibakhsh became the first foreign captain to win a PKL title.
Season 8 (2021): Dabang Delhi K.C.
Dabang Delhi K.C. secured their first PKL title in Season 8 by defeating three-time champions Patna Pirates by 37-36. The win was a big achievement for the team after years of top-level competition.
The one-point margin made it the closest final in PKL history. Fans widely remember the match for its intensity and the dramatic finish.
Naveen Kumar scored 207 raid points in 17 matches and won his second MVP award. His steady performance helped the team all season.
Veteran all-rounder Manjeet Chhillar added 52 tackle points, and both Naveen and Vijay scored Super 10s in the final, giving the team a strong edge.
With their combined efforts and determination, Dabang Delhi won their first kabaddi championship, a historic moment for the team.
Season 9 (2022): Jaipur Pink Panthers
Jaipur Pink Panthers won the championship again after eight years by defeating Puneri Paltan 33-29 in the Season 9 final.
This made them the second team to win multiple PKL titles. Captain Sunil Kumar’s High 5 and strong team effort secured the victory.
Arjun Deshwal had a great season, scoring 296 points and winning the MVP award with his consistent performance.
Newcomer Ankush impressed everyone by scoring 89 tackle points, showing that even debutants can make a big impact.
With a mix of experienced leaders and young players, the team used teamwork and smart strategy to win the championship after a long wait.
Season 10 (2023): Puneri Paltan
Puneri Paltan won their first PKL title in Season 10 by beating Haryana Steelers 28-25 in a close final. They played well and stayed focused to secure the win.
After being runners-up the previous season, this victory was very special for the team. It showed how they had grown and worked together to become champions.
Aslam Inamdar led the team with excellent all-around performances, earning the MVP award.
Mohammadreza Chiyaneh dominated the defense with 99 tackle points, while Gaurav Khatri’s 4 tackle points in the final proved crucial.
The championship also saw the return of the 12-city format, making it special for fans across the country. Puneri Paltan’s maiden title was celebrated by supporters who had waited years for this moment.
Season 11 (2024): Haryana Steelers
Haryana Steelers won their first PKL title with a 32-23 victory over Patna Pirates in the Season 11 final.
After finishing as runners-up the previous season, they went one step further. The big win showed how much the team had grown.
Mohammadreza Shadloui earned the MVP award with 82 tackle points and 52 raid points.
Devank from Patna Pirates was the Best Raider with 301 points, while Shivam Patare scored 9 points in the final to help Haryana secure the win.
The championship completed Haryana Steelers’ rise from newcomers to champions. Their strategy and teamwork paid off, making them the eighth different team to win a PKL title.
Teams with the Most PKL Titles
Patna Pirates lead the PKL with three titles from 2016 to 2018. Their strong team and smart strategies helped them dominate the league and set a high benchmark for other teams.
Jaipur Pink Panthers have two titles, in 2014 and 2022. After many years, they rebuilt the team, combining experienced players with young talent, and returned to the top.
Other teams like U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls, Bengal Warriorz, Dabang Delhi K.C., Puneri Paltan, and Haryana Steelers have each won one title. This shows how competitive the PKL is, giving many teams a real chance to win.
Records and Highlights from PKL Finals
PKL finals have given fans many exciting and memorable moments, showing the best of kabaddi each season.
The table below shows the most memorable PKL finals, highlighting the biggest win and the closest final in PKL Seasons.
| Type of Final | Season | Winner | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biggest Win | 5 | Patna Pirates | Gujarat Giants | 55-38 |
| Closest Final | 8 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Patna Pirates | 37-36 |
In PKL finals, it’s not just about the team: star players and brilliant captains often make the difference. Some players shine with incredible performances, while experienced leaders guide their teams to victory:
Star Player Moment:
- Pawan Sehrawat (Bengaluru Bulls, Season 6) scored 22 points in the final, leaving fans amazed with one of the most memorable performances ever.
Game-Changing Captains:
- Rohit Kumar and Maninder Singh led their teams to many finals, proving that experience and clever decisions can turn a tough match into a win.
Who Can Win The PKL 2025 Season?
The PKL 2025 season promises to be highly competitive, with all twelve teams capable of challenging for the title. Several teams stand out based on recent form, squad strength, and past performances.
According to my analysis of previous seasons, the Patna Pirates are the favorites to win the 2025 season. Their record-breaking performances in Seasons 3, 4, and 5 show they know how to dominate long tournaments.
With experienced raiders like Pardeep Narwal and a balanced defense, they have the ability to turn tight matches in their favor.
Other teams like Jaipur Pink Panthers and U Mumba also have championship experience and could challenge, but Patna’s combination of experience, talent, and past success gives them a clear edge.
Success in 2025 will still depend on team combinations, injury management, and smart strategies from the coaches, but the Patna Pirates have the strongest chance to lift the trophy.
Disclaimer: The prediction above comes from past performances and analysis. Remember, PKL matches are always unpredictable. Any team can rise on match day, so stay tuned to see who takes the crown this season!
Conclusion: PKL Winners Prove Skill And Teamwork Always Win
The PKL winners over the years have shown how exciting and unpredictable the league can be. Teams like Patna Pirates, Jaipur Pink Panthers, and Haryana Steelers have all had their moments, each leaving a mark in its own way.
Every season brings new stories, great matches, and players who shine under pressure. Fans have seen amazing raids, strong defenses, and close finals that keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
With the next season coming up, any team can surprise us. It’s going to be exciting, and fans should stay tuned for more action and new champions.
FAQs
Season 5 final between Patna Pirates and Gujarat Giants recorded the highest combined score of 93 points (55-38).
Multiple international players, including Fazel Atrachali, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh, and Mohammadreza Shadlou, i have won PKL titles with their teams.
Ram Meher Singh guided Patna Pirates to three consecutive championships, making him the most successful PKL coach in history.
The average winning margin in PKL finals is approximately 8-9 points, with margins ranging from 1 to 17 points.
No PKL team has completed an entire season without losing a single match in the league or playoff stages.
