Pickleball Became India’s Fastest-Growing Sport: Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in India, has officially entered the professional spotlight with the launch of the World Pickleball League (WPBL). For the first time in over a decade, Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium is hosting a sport other than cricket, marking the arrival of pickleball at a league level.
The Rise of Pickleball in India
Launched in 2020, pickleball was initially a hobby for many, but its popularity has risen in recent years, particularly in India. According to former tennis star and Arjuna awardee Gaurav Natekar, co-founder of the WPBL, pickleball’s success in India has been unprecedented. “It is officially now the fastest-growing sport in India,” Natekar said.
The World Pickleball League is one of the first leagues to capitalize on this momentum, offering a professional stage for the sport in India. The league, which sees Indian and international players competing, has garnered significant interest from celebrity investors and major corporations.
Celebrity Investors and Corporate Backing
Bollywood stars are among the early investors in the league, signaling pickleball’s potential for growth in India. Celebrities like actress Samantha Prabhu, who owns the Chennai Super Champs, and the Deshmukh couple, who back Pune United, are leading the charge.
Other franchise partners include notable business figures such as Sudhir Mehta of EKA Mobility and cricketer Rishabh Pant, who is involved with Mumbai Pickle Power.
“Eighty percent of the franchise partners we approached joined because of the growing popularity of pickleball,” Natekar explained.
The investment in pickleball isn’t just about sports but also about entertainment, with performances from artists like American rapper Raja Kumari and singer Dhvani Bhanushali scheduled for the league’s events.
The Business of Pickleball
Owning a franchise in the World Pickleball League isn’t cheap. Natekar estimates the cost at Rs 7 crore ($850,000). While franchises may take several years to break even, he is confident that the league’s value is already rising. Some teams have already seen a valuation twice the amount they paid for their franchises.
The league has also garnered financial backing from Sony Entertainment Talent Ventures India (SETVI), which invested over $10 million to support the growth of pickleball in India and the Asia-Pacific region. The WPBL will be broadcast on Sony Sports Ten 2 channels, and will also be available for streaming on FanCode.
Pickleball’s Media Push
Despite the smaller size of pickleball courts compared to tennis courts, Natekar believes that the sport will thrive in the digital and social media realms.
“Pickleball courts are only 1,800 square feet, unlike tennis courts, which are 7,200 square feet. While we start with a 750-seat capacity for the first season, we plan to triple it next year,” he said. With media coverage growing, the league aims to capitalize on social media and brand activations to increase exposure.
The league also has major sponsorships, including from P&G Jewellers, Volvo, and ABI Health. For sponsors, the minimum deal for a one-year partnership starts in the 8-figure range.
Indian Players on the World Stage
The WPBL features 48 players representing 14 countries, giving Indian players the opportunity to compete with international talent. This access is crucial for India’s growing pickleball community. Players like Yuvraj Ruia, a professional pickleball player, have seen the sport become a legitimate career path.
The Indian Open 2025 and the Global Sports Pro and Challenger Leagues are also on the horizon, adding more opportunities for Indian players to compete. Global Sports founder Hemal Jain emphasized the league’s role in introducing Indian players to international talent, hoping that more Indian players will rise to the top in the near future.
“We want Indians to be the first pick for team owners,” said Jain.
The Future of Pickleball in India
As pickleball’s growth continues, new tournaments are being added throughout the country. The Indian Open will have 1,350 players competing for a prize pool of $1,25,000, while a new PWR Indian league will offer $6,00,000 in prize money across 30 players.
The sport’s trajectory in India is nothing short of impressive, with the number of pickleball tournaments growing rapidly. “India has 300 tournaments every year, compared to 1,000 in the US,” said Aditya Khanna, co-founder of the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR).
Khanna and others are working toward the ultimate goal: making pickleball an Olympic sport by 2036.
News in Brief: Pickleball Became India’s Fastest-Growing Sport
The World Pickleball League (WPBL) has launched in India, backed by celebrities like Samantha Prabhu and Rishabh Pant. With growing pickleball tournaments and significant corporate investment, the sport is gaining momentum in the country, with future goals of making it an Olympic sport by 2036.