Hyderabad is buzzing as the Prime Volleyball League (PVL) makes its full return in 2025, with the entire tournament scheduled to electrify the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium. This marks a significant comeback for the city, which hosted the league entirely in 2022 and partially in 2023. The action-packed fourth season is set to ignite on Thursday, October 2, 2025, featuring a highly anticipated opening clash between the local favorites, Hyderabad Black Hawks, and the reigning champions, Calicut Heroes.
Adding to the excitement, the PVL welcomes a new franchise for the third consecutive year: the Goa Guardians, proudly co-owned by Indian cricket star K.L. Rahul. PVL CEO Joy Bhattacharjya pointed to this expansion as clear evidence of the league’s surging popularity, attracting both enthusiastic investors and a growing fanbase. He confidently predicted that this upcoming season would be the most thrilling and closely fought competition to date.
During the season-opening press conference, Bhattacharjya expressed his delight about returning to Hyderabad, stating, “It’s very special to come back to Hyderabad.” He further emphasized the continuous evolution of teams each season, noting improvements in both talent and strategic play. “This season should be the most closely contested one so far, and that means that fans could be in for a top-class viewing experience,” he assured, promising an unparalleled spectacle for volleyball enthusiasts.
Bhattacharjya highlighted two key factors that set the PVL apart from other sports leagues in India. Firstly, he emphasized the league’s unique, collaborative relationship with its franchises. Unlike other leagues that sometimes struggle with team retention, the PVL consistently expands its roster. “We do not operate in a way where one person gives orders. We take everybody in confidence, work with them and make it work,” he explained, underscoring a partnership-driven approach.
The second distinguishing feature, according to Bhattacharjya, is the dedicated commitment of franchises to nurturing volleyball at the grassroots level. He praised their initiatives, remarking, “Almost every one of the teams that you are dealing with today has academies, they have places where they are giving scholarships to players, they are trying to push the game in rural areas.” This focus on development ensures a sustainable pipeline of talent and broadens the sport’s reach.
Moreover, Bhattacharjya stressed the invaluable impact of seasoned international stars on player development. He cited the example of David Lee, an Olympic and FIVB World Cup gold medalist and coach for the Bengaluru Torpedoes, whose presence offers unparalleled opportunities for players to grow both professionally and personally.
In a joint announcement, Joy Bhattacharjya and Tuhin Mishra, CEO & Managing Director of Baseline Ventures, revealed that while the PVL will be broadcast live on the Sony Network in India, it will also be accessible to a global audience via YouTube. Mishra articulated the league’s ambitious vision: “We are entering a transformative phase for PVL. Our strategy this season is focused on delivering exceptional value to our partners and teams, ensuring a sustainable, world-class ecosystem for our athletes, and raising the bar for sports entertainment in the country.”