New Delhi, Jan 2 (NationPress) The Pro Wrestling League (PWL), India's foremost franchise-based professional wrestling league recognized by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), is gearing up for a spectacular return to competitive wrestling as more than 250 wrestlers will be auctioned off at the upcoming player auction on Saturday in New Delhi.

This auction is a pivotal moment in preparation for the league's fifth season, resuming after a six-year break.

The wrestlers in the PWL 2026 auction are categorized into four distinct groups – A+ (Marquee), A, B, and C – determined by their competitive performance and international rankings. The base prices for these categories are set at 18 lakh for A+ wrestlers, 12 lakh for Category A, 8 lakh for Category B, and 3 lakh for Category C, providing franchises with a clear and fair bidding process.

This auction pool includes a remarkable combination of elite international athletes and prominent Indian wrestlers, featuring Olympic champions and medalists, World Championship medalists, and established icons.

Notable names like Japanese women’s wrestling icon Yui Susaki, Cuban silver medalist from the Paris Olympics Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, and two-time Olympic medallist Iryna Koliadenko from Ukraine, along with local stars such as Aman Sehrawat, a bronze medallist from the Paris Olympics and India's youngest ever Olympic female wrestler, and two-time World championship medallist Antim Panghal, are part of the A+ category.

In the A category, you'll find Deepak Punia, a world championship silver medallist and former Commonwealth Games champion, and the recent U-23 world champion Sujeet Kalkal of India, alongside four-time world championship medallist Arsen Harutyunyan from Armenia, former Asian Games champion and double world championship medallist Tulga from Mongolia, and 2025 world championship bronze medallist Robert Baran of Poland, among others.

The B category includes accomplished international talents like Nigerian women's wrestling legend and nine-time African champion Odunayo Folasade, Iranian heavyweight Hadi Vafaeipour, Armenian world championship medallist Arman Andreasyan, Mexico’s reigning Pan-American champion Roman Gullermo Bravo Young, and Indian women's wrestling star Anshu Malik.

The C category primarily features emerging Indian talents such as U-23 Asian champions Jaideep, Chandermohan, Manisha, and Priya, alongside international competitors like Karla, the reigning Pan-American champion from Canada.

This diverse array of exceptional talent from some of the world's premier wrestling nations is anticipated to draw considerable attention during the auction.

The league will have a total budget of 12 crore for the season, with each of the six franchises receiving 2 crore to build their teams. Competitions will take place across nine weight categories, comprising five men’s and four women’s, highlighting PWL’s dedication to gender equality and comprehensive representation across divisions.

Each franchise must create a squad of at least nine and a maximum of twelve wrestlers, including five men and four women. Out of the total squad, four wrestlers must be international athletes, two men and two women, ensuring a strong global presence across teams.

Moreover, every squad must feature at least one wrestler from Category C, designed to foster emerging talent and expand competitive opportunities.

With its organized auction format, clear squad regulations, and a wealth of talent, the PWL auction is positioned to significantly influence team strategies ahead of the 2026 season. The Pro Wrestling League 2026 will run from January 15 to February 1, 2026, promising high-energy competition showcasing top-tier Indian and international wrestling talent.