Indian Pickleball Business Surge: India’s fitness scene is changing fast. More young people are leaving behind clubbing and late-night parties. Instead, they are turning to sports like pickleball. This fast-paced game is growing quickly across the country. In just one year, it has seen six times more courts and over ₹1 crore in earnings for some owners.
Pickleball is becoming a favorite sport in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Surat. Its rise is bringing fitness, fun, and social connections to thousands of players. With new courts opening every week and strong business returns, many investors and entrepreneurs are jumping in.
A New Favorite for India’s Youth
Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a court half the size of a tennis court. Players use solid paddles and a plastic ball. The goal is to score points when the other side misses or makes a mistake. It can be played by two or four players and is easy to learn.
The game began in 1965 in the United States. Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum created it on Bainbridge Island, Washington. They used a badminton court, ping-pong paddles, and a plastic ball to entertain their families.
The name “pickleball” came from Joan Pritchard. She said it reminded her of a “pickle boat,” where leftover rowers are put together. Some believe it was named after a dog called Pickles, but the dog came later.
Pickleball Court Numbers Skyrocket
In early 2024, India had about 200 pickleball courts. By 2025, that number had jumped to over 1,200. The sport is spreading fast, with 3–4 new courts added each week in big cities.
The All India Pickleball Association says the number of active players could hit one million by 2028. That would be a 1,500% increase. To meet the demand, India may need around 2,500 courts by then.
New Businesses Around the Sport
Pickleball is not just about playing. Many businesses are also growing around it. Paddle and ball makers, sportswear brands, and gear rental shops are all doing well.
Indian and global companies are creating better paddles and stronger balls. These products are made for beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Right now, most people buy gear from stores, but online sales are rising too.
Low Costs, High Earnings
Setting up a pickleball court in India costs about ₹3–5 lakhs. This is much cheaper than a badminton court, which can cost ₹15 lakhs. Courts charge ₹600–800 per hour. Many stay open from 6 AM to 11 PM and are busy almost all day.
This can lead to monthly earnings of ₹3–4 lakhs per court. After paying for staff, cleaning, and other costs, which take up about 30–35%, owners can earn over ₹2 lakhs a month. Because setup costs are low and use is high, court owners often make back their money in just 2–3 months.
From Small Start to Big Returns
Some people who started with just three courts in 2023 are now earning over ₹1 crore a year. This shows how much money can be made in this new sport.
Future Looks Bright
India’s pickleball market is growing at 26% every year. That’s more than twice as fast as the rest of the world. Experts say India will spend over ₹7,500 crore on the sport by 2030. The sport’s business model works well here. It’s cheap to start, easy to fill, and makes quick profits. This is why many investors and business owners see pickleball as India’s next big sports trend.
News in Brief: Indian Pickleball Business Surge
Pickleball is rising in India with a sixfold rise in courts and ₹1 crore annual income for some owners. Low costs and high returns are drawing more investors. The sport is gaining young fans, and experts believe one million Indians will play by 2028.