Women’s Wrestling: Pro Wrestling League Set to Redefine the Future
Indian wrestling is set for a major revival as the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) prepares to return in January 2026 — with a renewed focus on women’s participation and professional opportunities for female wrestlers.
PWL Returns Under New Structure
After a gap of several years, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has officially announced the comeback of the Pro Wrestling League, this time under its direct supervision to ensure greater transparency and financial discipline.
Each of the six participating franchises will include nine wrestlers — five Indian and four foreign athletes. Significantly, four of these will be women wrestlers, competing in the 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, and 76 kg categories. Mr. Dayaan Farooqui, Promoter and Chairman of PWL said: Dayaan Farooqui: “The Pro Wrestling League 2026 marks the beginning of a bold new era for Indian wrestling. Our vision is to create a league that celebrates both tradition and modern sport, where homegrown talent competes shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best. We want to make wrestling not just India’s pride, but its next big sporting phenomenon, inspiring millions to believe that champions are made right here, on our own soil.”
A Turning Point for Women’s Wrestling
The 2026 edition marks a paradigm shift — taking women’s wrestling beyond government tournaments and positioning it within a commercial, televised, and league-based format.
This provides women wrestlers with:
Sustained competition and exposure alongside top international talent.
Financial growth and sponsorship opportunities, previously missing from the ecosystem.
Media visibility and fan engagement, helping build a stronger following for women’s wrestling in India.
Industry experts believe that PWL could do for wrestling what IPL did for cricket — creating a space where athletes become national icons and the sport becomes a household name.
Rising Participation at the Grassroots
The timing couldn’t be better. Across India, from Haryana to Maharashtra, more young girls are taking up wrestling — inspired by the success of champions like Geeta Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat. Government initiatives such as Khelo India Women and growing OTT storytelling around sportswomen have built momentum for a cultural shift in how female athletes are viewed. In WPL 2026, top national and international women wrestlers will participate and till last season more than 25 Countries player participated in PWL.
Challenges Still Remain
However, the journey is not without hurdles. Access to quality training facilities in rural belts, societal restrictions, and a lack of consistent media coverage continue to challenge women’s wrestling in India. Experts also stress the need for private investment and audience engagement to make the women’s segment commercially sustainable. Mr. Sumit Dubey, COO of PWL adds : The Pro Wrestling League is being built on the foundation of professionalism, opportunity, and scale. Our focus is to create a seamless ecosystem; from athlete development to franchise management, that attracts the best talent, brands, and fans alike. This is not just about organizing a league; it’s about building a sports movement that uplifts every stakeholder, from the young wrestler in an akhada to the sponsor investing in India’s sporting future.
The Road Ahead
If the PWL’s women’s format succeeds, it could redefine wrestling in India — turning female wrestlers from state-level competitors into national sporting brands.In essence, India stands at the brink of a revolution in wrestling — one where the roar of the crowd at the next PWL may echo not just for men, but for the fierce and fearless women who step into the mat.
Key Facts — Pro Wrestling League 2026 (Proposed Format):
Launch: January 2026, New Delhi
Franchises: 6
Total Wrestlers per Team: 9 (5 Indian, 4 foreign)
Women’s Categories: 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 76 kg
Supervising Body: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
Goal: Equal representation and professional platform for women wrestlers
As the nation celebrates the Indian Women’s Cricket Team’s historic World Cup victory, another sport is preparing to step into the limelight — women’s wrestling. Just days before the cricket triumph, the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) was officially announced at a grand press conference in New Delhi, confirming its much-awaited return in January 2026. Together, these two milestones signal a powerful new chapter in Indian sports — one where women athletes are leading the nation’s success stories across disciplines.
Pro Wrestling League 2026: A New Beginning
The revived Pro Wrestling League (PWL) promises to bring wrestling back to center stage with a vibrant, professional, and gender-inclusive model. Supported by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the league will follow an IPL-style franchise format, featuring a mix of top Indian and international wrestlers. A WFI spokesperson at the launch event said, “The return of PWL is not just about entertainment — it’s about giving India’s women wrestlers a global platform to shine. After the phenomenal success of our women cricketers, wrestling is ready to script the next chapter in India’s sporting revolution.”
Special Focus on Women’s Participation
One of the most exciting aspects of PWL 2026 is its dedicated focus on promoting women’s participation and leadership in wrestling. The league organizers have committed to ensuring: Equal representation of women athletes across teams. Prime-time telecasts for women’s matches to boost viewership. Mentorship programs pairing emerging wrestlers with senior champions. Equal prize money and sponsorship opportunities for female competitors. This emphasis aligns with India’s growing movement toward gender parity in sports and aims to make wrestling an aspirational career choice for young girls across the country.
CEO of PWL Mr. Akhil Gupta said : “The return of the Pro Wrestling League is not just about reviving a sport, it’s about reigniting a dream. Our women wrestlers have the talent, grit, and fire to stand tall on any global stage. With equal opportunities and stronger visibility, we’re building a future where wrestling inspires every young girl to believe she can. This is more than a league, it’s India’s movement of strength and sisterhood.”
Cricket’s Inspiration, Wrestling’s Opportunity
The Indian women’s cricket team’s World Cup win has redefined how fans and sponsors perceive women athletes. Sports analysts believe this newfound enthusiasm will now spill over into wrestling — opening doors for corporate investments, endorsements, and mass fan engagement in PWL. With India already home to world-class wrestlers like Sakshi Malik, Antim Panghal, and Vinesh Phogat, the Pro Wrestling League could become a turning point — transforming wrestling from a rural pursuit to a national prime-time sport.
Grassroots Empowerment and Broader Vision
The PWL revival also carries a developmental goal. Training academies in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra are gearing up for talent scouting programs to identify and support young women wrestlers. Simultaneously, government initiatives and CSR-backed sports foundations are aligning resources to expand coaching, nutrition, and international exposure. This dual approach — professional platform plus grassroots growth — is expected to establish wrestling as one of India’s strongest medal hopes for the Paris 2028 Olympics and beyond.
Conclusion: The Rise of a New Sporting Sisterhood
As India basks in the glow of its women cricketers’ triumph, the return of the Pro Wrestling League 2026 marks the beginning of another inspiring journey. It’s more than a league — it’s a movement, symbolizing strength, equality, and opportunity for India’s women athletes. From the pitch to the mat, India’s daughters are not just competing — they’re changing the face of Indian sports forever.
