India’s Pickleball Infrastructure: Pickleball and padel, two of the world’s fastest-growing sports, are gaining ground in India’s major cities. Anant Jangwal, founder and CEO of Play Padel, shared insights on why these sports are rising, if they are here to stay, and what entrepreneurs should expect.
Growing Popularity in India
Pickleball and padel have quickly become popular in upscale gatherings and sports communities. Pickleball, created in 1965 in the USA, mixes tennis, table tennis, and badminton. Padel, invented in 1969 in Mexico, blends tennis and squash.
In the USA and India, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport. Padel is the second fastest growing sport in both countries. The popularity of these sports in India started with metro cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad. This followed patterns seen in the West during the COVID-19 pandemic when outdoor activities became more important.
Future of Courts in India
The number of pickleball and padel courts is growing, but the market remains small.
“We estimate a total of 150 commercial Pickleball courts in Mumbai, and about the same in Delhi NCR. By the year 2028, there could be as many as 2,500 Pickleball courts in India.” – (Jangwal)
For padel, there are about 65-75 courts in Mumbai and 25-30 in Delhi NCR. The forecast for 2028 is around 1,000 padel courts across the country.
Are These Sports Just a Trend?
According to Jangwal, pickleball and padel are here to stay, but there are risks.
“There is a word of caution that I would like to offer.” – (Jangwal)
In some areas, the number of courts is rising faster than the number of players.
“In Sweden by the end of the Covid period there was an excess of courts, and as a result a majority of them had to shut down eventually after suffering losses.” – (Jangwal)
Challenges for New Entrepreneurs
Starting a pickleball or padel business is not easy. Jangwal highlighted, “90% of the facilities/clubs will actually fail.” Success depends on many factors including quality and location. Building a premium pickleball court can cost INR 7–10 lakhs. For padel, it is around INR 25 lakhs. “If you go for low quality, then people will not come to play,” he explained.
“It may be more lucrative with lower investment cost to create an equipment brand, or get into the services industry of organizing tournaments etc.” – (Jangwal)
For those with prime land, partnering with experienced groups like Play Padel is suggested. They can help with building luxury facilities and creating strong player communities.
Impact and What Lies Ahead
Pickleball and padel offer exciting new fitness options for Indians. However, they come with risks for investors who may not fully understand the business. With smart planning and focus on quality, there is strong potential for long-term growth in India’s sports sector.
If the courts grow faster than players, problems like those seen in Sweden could occur. Still, if managed well, pickleball especially could become a permanent part of India’s sporting future.
News in Brief: India’s Pickleball Infrastructure
Pickleball and padel are rising in India, with major growth expected by 2028. Anant Jangwal of Play Padel warns that while the sports are popular, entrepreneurs must plan carefully, as most facilities may fail without proper investment and strategy.
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