It’s just been realized – that the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League Season 5 was the highest rated non-cricket sporting event of India in 2017. The fifth edition of the professional kabaddi league that started in 2014 and is organized by Mashal Sports and Star India included 12 teams this season with the inclusion of four new teams –UP Yoddha, Tamil Thalaivas, Haryana Steelers and Gujarat Fortunegiants. It started on July 28 and concluded on October 28 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai with a thrilling clash between Patna Pirates and Gujarat Fortunegiants which the former won. This was Patna’s third consecutive PKL title.

This season was also the biggest league tournament of its kind in the history of Indian sports in terms of geographical coverage and duration. It featured 138 matches spread over 13 weeks and across 11 states. The other teams included Bengal Warriors, Bengaluru Bulls, Dabang Delhi KC, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Patna Pirates, Puneri Paltan, Telugu Titans and Gujarat Fortunegiants. Amazingly, Star Sports Pro Kabaddi viewership increased by nearly 56% from 2014’s viewership.