World Pickleball League Expansion Plans: The World Pickleball League has launched a new plan called “WPBL On Tour” to keep fans engaged until its next season starts in January 2026. Chief Executive Officer Gaurav Natekar shared that this move will help build the sport’s following and create more community activities across India.
The plan will include one big tournament in each team’s city and smaller events to bring players and fans together. Gaurav Natekar, who is a two-time Asian Games gold medalist and Arjuna Award winner, said, “We started work on WPBL late-2023, so it’s been two years now. The game has evolved massively with the influx of new players. Every day there’s a new development in pickleball in India. The game is going places, but I believe that this is just the beginning.”
Growing Pickleball in India
According to Gaurav Natekar, many people who used to play tennis and badminton have taken up pickleball. Young players are also doing well and will be part of the next draft. “There is incredible talent. The way our juniors are performing in pickleball corroborates that. There will be a few more players in the draft for the second season,” he said.
He added that WPBL has brought new attention to pickleball. “What the league has done is generate interest in the game of pickleball where a lot of ex-tennis and badminton players, along with a lot of youngsters who have never picked a racquet are taking to the sport. One needs to look at it from a broader framework in terms of WPBL’s role in popularising the sport.”
Keeping Fans Engaged Between Seasons
Gaurav Natekar believes that leagues have often failed because there was no plan between seasons. “I think that leagues have not been successful, because there has not been much that has been done between seasons,” he said. “Of course, with other sports there is not much you can do in terms of community, but pickleball changes the dynamic. We have always wanted to do something for our franchises between seasons and hence we had this vision.”
He explained the details of the plan. “We shall be doing one big tournament in each franchise’s city and we will be working with them to do smaller promotions, activations, for the franchise and the league in each of the cities, which could be both social and amateur events. All of this happens between now and Season 2, which starts in January 2026,” he said.
A Premium Global Property
Gaurav Natekar also shared that the league wants to be seen as a top-level property worldwide. Big brands like Dove, Volvo, Red Bull, and Barclays Bank have become sponsors. Japanese company Sony has also joined as a partner.
“There has been a lot of learning. WPBL was never attempted. We are clear going into season two that we want to position it as a premium property,”. “That’s why when you look at the brands that have been associated with us… our focus is that we are a premium global property. Our focus is going to be to create a premium sportainment property and eventually look to spread the game down to the grassroots as well as we go ahead.”
The league has six teams: Chennai Super Champs, Hyderabad Superstars, Dilli Dillwale, Bengaluru Jawans, Pune United, and Mumbai Pickle Power. Owners include Rishabh Pant, Swiggy, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Atlee.
They plan to keep working hard on and off the court to make Season 2 a success.
News in Brief: World Pickleball League Expansion Plans
The World Pickleball League will run “WPBL On Tour” to engage fans before Season 2 starts in January 2026. CEO Gaurav Natekar said the effort aims to make the league a premium sport worldwide. The plan includes big tournaments, community events, and more sponsors joining the sport.
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