PKL 2025 caravan reaches Chennai

The city's passionate kabaddi enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the return of their beloved Tamil Thalaivas. The team, which has consistently been a crowd favourite, will be looking to leverage the home advantage and the support of their loyal fanbase to make a significant impact in Season 12.

The Chennai leg of 2025 PKL will run from September 29 to October 10, featuring multiple high-stakes matches across all 12 teams. This comes after successful legs in Vizag and Jaipur, with teams showcasing exceptional competitive spirit throughout the season so far.

Speaking about PKL's return to Chennai, Mr. Anupam Goswami, Business Head, Mashal Sports and League Chairman, PKL said, "Tamil Nadu has always been one of the great kabaddi geographies of India, with a deep cultural and regional connection to the sport. Legends like Dharmaraj Cheralathan and K. Baskaran carried that legacy, and now we see a new generation of young players proudly representing the region."

"This season has been exceptional with raiders delivering more Super 10s and multi-point raids than last season. The competitiveness has also been remarkable, with just six points separating the top-placed team from the team placed eighth on the points table. We look forward to celebrating this spirit of kabaddi with the passionate fans of Chennai.”

While the home advantage will be a crucial factor for Tamil Thalaivas, Chennai’s passionate fan base - known for their unwavering support and vibrant cheering - are expected to create an electrifying atmosphere that could prove to be the difference-maker in crunch moments.

With as many as 12 players from Tamil Nadu featuring across different teams this season, the Chennai leg is set to be a celebration of Tamil pride and kabaddi’s deep-rooted connect with the state. It will also provide an opportunity for the local players to play in front of their home crowd.

Deepak Sankar from Bengaluru Bulls and a New Young Player from Tamil Nadu spoke about the significance of PKL returning to Chennai, saying, "It feels amazing to play in my home state. Even though I represent Bengaluru Bulls, the support from the Chennai crowd and my Tamil Nadu fans will surely motivate me to give my best on the mat."

Abinesh Nadarajan, Season 10 champion with Puneri Paltan also mentioned, “In season 10, we were the champions of PKL. This year, we’re aiming to win the title again. We have four matches in Chennai in this leg and we're very excited to be playing here. Personally, I’m looking forward to my family and friends coming to the stadium to support me.”

The Chennai leg promises to showcase the very best of kabaddi, with teams fighting for crucial points as the league stage progresses towards its business end. The round-robin format ensures that every match carries significant weight, making for compelling viewing for kabaddi enthusiasts.

The leg will kick off with a double-header on September 29, 2025, featuring two exciting encounters. The first match will see UP Yoddhas take on Gujarat Giants, with both sides eager to make a statement in their first match in Chennai.