e-commerce
Pinned to the calendar PWL 2026 tickets go live on District
MUMBAI: When the bell rings this January, Indian wrestling fans will know exactly where to tap. The Pro Wrestling League has announced District by Zomato as its official ticketing partner for Season 5, with tickets for PWL 2026 now live on the platform. The league will run from January 15 to February 1, 2026, at the Noida Indoor Stadium, marking the return of franchise-based wrestling to the capital region.
To get fans through the doors early, the league has rolled out a 1+1 early-bird ticket offer valid for the first three days of sales. Ticket prices have been kept deliberately broad, starting at Rs 300 at the entry level and going up to Rs 2,500 for premium seating, striking a balance between mass access and a premium live-sport experience. In value terms, the pricing translates from a few hundred rupees to just over Rs 0.02 lakh, making PWL one of the more accessible indoor sporting events on the calendar.
Season 5 will see six franchises battle it out across a league and knockout format: Delhi Dangal Warriors, Haryana Thunders, Tiigers of Mumbai Dangal, Maharashtra Kesari, Punjab Royals and UP Dominators. The roster features a mix of Indian and international wrestlers, including Olympic medallists, world champions and emerging Indian talent, all assembled during what the league described as a record-breaking auction.
Speaking on the ticketing rollout, Pro Wrestling League CEO Akhil Gupta said the focus this season is firmly on the live fan experience. He noted that partnering with District by Zomato helps the league reach a wider audience through a smooth, familiar ticketing interface, while the early-bird 1+1 offer is aimed at encouraging first-time and returning fans to experience professional wrestling live.
Sanctioned by the Wrestling Federation of India, PWL has steadily carved out a space for wrestling as a prime-time spectator sport. With multiple double-header matchdays and evening fixtures planned, Season 5 is designed to keep energy levels high both on and off the mat.
As ticket sales open and the countdown begins, the league’s message is clear. Wrestling is back, the stakes are high, and for fans, the best seats in the house are now just a tap away.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
