Corporate Pickleball Boom in India: Corporate teams across India are now embracing pickleball as more than just a fun activity. Companies like ICICI Bank, Deutsche Bank, Deloitte, and Blume Ventures are using the sport to promote wellness, teamwork, and employee bonding. With growing popularity, pickleball is fast becoming a business opportunity.
Growing Interest from Companies
Pickleball events are now part of team outings and wellness programs. Ujwal Deole, co-founder and COO of KheloMore, said, “We are seeing a lot of interest from various companies, banks, PSUs, and corporates in general. We train 100–200 employees at a time. It includes teaching the rules, understanding the court size, playing mini-games, and even tying in HR engagement activities.”
Lawyers, bankers, and IT professionals are especially drawn to the sport. Events like the LawStrings Pickleball Premier League in New Delhi are examples of how popular it has become. Shubham Malhotra, founder of LawStrings Management, said, “Pickleball is a stress reliever. Lawyers face high-pressure routines with little time for wellness or bonding. So a pickleball tournament created a space for them to connect, compete, and unwind on a different kind of court.”
Why Pickleball Works for Teams
Rinushree Senthilkumar, Head of Community Initiatives at Blume Ventures, shared that their pickleball event helped employees open up. “Stepping onto the court helped break the ice, and it was great to see conversations flow more naturally as everyone stepped out of their comfort zones,” she said.
Anmol Jain, Director of Special Holidays, added, “It blends fitness, fun, and networking without taking too much time. The growing Pickleball community also provides meaningful networking beyond the boardroom. For professionals seeking balance, it is more than a sport – it is a lifestyle upgrade.”
Anubhav Taneja, an Assistant Manager at Deloitte, said, “Pickleball is a breath of fresh air. I love its simplicity. I picked up the game in just one day. Now I play every week, and I absolutely love it.”
Big Business and Bigger Opportunities
Pickleball is now seen as a fast-growing business. Ujwal Deole said, “Eighteen months ago, pickleball was probably the lowest-flying sport. The demand we are seeing for pickleball is nothing short of phenomenal. Today, we have close to 400 pickleball venues across India, with each accommodating 3–4 courts.”
According to Suhail Narain, Founder and CEO of Hudle, “Today, we have more than 1,500 pickleball courts across India, and a growing number of corporates approaching us to organise events for their employees. To meet the demand, we are adding 30 to 40 new courts a month – that is more than one new court every day.”
Pickleball is also attracting more women. “The second most popular sport was badminton. But pickleball has really caught the fancy of Indians. We are seeing more and more women playing now,” said Ujwal.
Jatin Paranjape, former India cricketer and national selector, said, “Pickleball is a very broad-based sport. It is very easy to play, and we want more and more Indians to play. The barrier to entry is very low – anybody who has never played any sport in their life can also very quickly learn how to play.”
Players are coming back to the courts more often. Ujwal said that many book courts 15 to 16 times a month, showing high engagement. “I think pickleball is heading in the same trajectory as badminton, becoming a household name and a sport that people of all skill levels can play,” he added.
Profit, Play, and the Path Forward
Pickleball offers a great return for court owners. It needs less space and cost to set up. Prices range from Rs 500 in smaller cities to Rs 1,800 in bigger cities per hour. “If you are a pickleball court owner and you have done your due diligence and built good-quality infrastructure that offers a great playing experience, you can recover your investment in about 9 to 12 months,” said Ujwal.
He estimates there are 60,000 to 1 lakh players in India now, and that number could grow to 10 lakh in three years. He expects the number of courts to rise to 4,000 in two years. Anant Jangwal, Founder and CEO of Play Padel, said, “By the year 2028, there could be as many as 2,500 Pickleball courts in India.”
Ujwal believes the game will continue to grow. “At some point, it will plateau, but it will not die out. Pickleball is a sport that will continue to play an active role in keeping Indians engaged, encouraging them to go outdoors and stay active.”
For pickleball to grow even more, coaching and training need to improve. “When coaching and training catch up, both talent and venues will benefit,” said Ujwal.
Jatin Paranjape added, “We are doing a lot of pickleball starter camps. We are educating the consumer about the court, the rules, the paddle, the technique – all of it. This is aimed at people who have never played sport before as well because we truly believe that if you play sport, you will be healthier physically and mentally. For us, it is not just a business. It is a movement to make India healthier.”
News in Brief: Corporate Pickleball Boom in India
Corporate India is embracing pickleball for wellness, networking, and fun. Top firms are holding events, and interest is booming. With over 1,500 courts and thousands of players, the sport is growing fast. Experts predict massive expansion, driven by health benefits and strong business potential.
ALSO READ: Denver’s Pickleball Boom: Hot New Courts, Foodie Venues, and Social Hubs Transform the Game