Third season of PBL to kickoff from December 23
What's the story
The Premier Badminton League is all set to kick off from the 23rd of December with India's shuttle queens Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu battling it out in the season opener. The third season of the tournament boasts some of the biggest names of the sport, with the likes of Viktor Axelsen, Carolina Marin and Sung Ji Hyun competing in the 3 week league.
23rd-26th December
Matches to be played in Guwahati
PBL commences in Guwahati with Chennai Smashers taking on Awadhe Warriors in the opening fixture on 23rd December. This is followed by North Eastern Warriors vs Hyderabad Hunters, Delhi Dashers vs Mumbai Rockets and North Eastern Warriors vs Ahmedabad Smash Masters. The Guwahati phase draws to a close on December 26th. The 23 day tournament has only one fixture lined up each day.
27th-31st December
Matches to be played in Delhi
After four days in Guwahati, the action shifts to Delhi where 5 matches will be held from 27th of December to the 31st of December. Chennai Smashers play Mumbai Rockets first, followed by Dashers going head on with Blasters, Masters locking horns with Hunters, and North Eastern Warriors vs Awadhe Warriors. New year's eve will see host Delhi Dashers competing against Hyderabad Hunters.
1st-4th January
Matches to be played in Lucknow
The new year brings a new stop in Lucknow. With Bengaluru Blasters taking on Mumbai Rockets in the first game of the year. This is followed by Awadhe Warriors locking horns with Ahmedabad Smash Masters, Chennai Smashers taking on Delhi Dashers. Lucknow phase draws to a close on the 4th of January with Awadhe Warriors taking on Mumbai Rockets.
5th-9th January
Matches to be played in Chennai
The penultimate leg of the tournament will be held in Chennai with Bengaluru Blasters facing North Eastern Warriors on the 5th of January. This is followed by the Smashers facing the Masters, Hunters taking on the Warriors, Smashers meeting the Blasters and ends with the Rockets battling it out with the Masters. The Chennai leg draws to a close on 9th January.
10th-14th January
Matches to be played in Hyderabad
The focus then shifts to Hyderabad for the final leg of the tournament on 10th of January with the Dashers taking on the Warriors and the Hunters meeting the blasters. The semi-finals of the Premier Badminton League will take place in Hyderabad on the 12th and 13th of January followed by the finals on the 14th of January.