Mumbai, India – September 3, 2025 – Pickleball’s profile in India is about to reach a new peak as Global Sports Pickleball (GSP) officially confirmed the auction for Season 2 of its Pro & Challenger League. The event, set for September 7, 2025, in Mumbai, will see ten teams battle it out in a live auction format to secure their squads for the upcoming season. Each franchise will draft five players apiece across the Pro and Challenger divisions, ensuring a balanced mix of top-tier professionals and promising newcomers.
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This moment marks a significant leap for pickleball in India, as it represents the first-ever large-scale live player auction for the sport in the country. For fans eager to watch history unfold, GSP will stream the entire event live on its official YouTube channel, making it accessible to audiences both in India and abroad.
A Milestone Auction for Indian Pickleball
Auctions are often associated with mainstream leagues like cricket’s IPL, but pickleball is now embracing the same format to bring visibility and excitement. The ten teams competing this season will engage in intense bidding wars, with each franchise building its roster from the largest player pool ever assembled for a pickleball auction in India.
The concept reflects the sport’s growth trajectory in the country. Once seen as a niche activity played in small community clubs, pickleball has steadily gained ground thanks to organized tournaments and grassroots campaigns. The auction is more than just a mechanism to assign players; it is a statement of intent—that pickleball is ready to compete with established sports in terms of structure, professionalism, and fan engagement.
What makes this season particularly exciting is the unique blend of professionals and amateurs entering the mix. It opens the door for rising athletes to test their skills against seasoned competitors, while also giving franchises a chance to discover hidden gems. By combining entertainment with sporting competition, the auction promises to be both a spectacle and a stepping stone for India’s pickleball talent pool.
Building an Ecosystem Beyond the Court
Global Sports Pickleball has been instrumental in creating an ecosystem that supports the sport’s rapid expansion. In just two years, GSP has gone from an ambitious start-up to a full-stack pickleball solutions provider, managing 82 courts across India and Dubai. The
organization has gone beyond simply hosting tournaments—it has invested in infrastructure, equipment distribution, coaching programs, and community outreach.
Events such as the Indian Open and the Grand Slam already feature prominently in the league calendar, alongside grassroots efforts like clinics and academy programs. Together, these initiatives form a pipeline that not only introduces newcomers to the sport but also nurtures them toward professional competition.
Hemal Jain, who serves as the Chief Architect of Pickleball Growth for GSP, framed the upcoming auction as a reflection of the company’s broader vision.
“From grassroots clinics to national academies, our vision has been to craft a robust foundation for pickleball in India. This auction for our 2nd season is more than a sporting event—it’s a pivotal step in our shared journey to place pickleball on the world stage.”
His words underscore the dual purpose of the auction: developing competitive teams while simultaneously laying the groundwork for long-term growth.
Bollywood’s Role in Expanding Pickleball’s Appeal
Another dimension of this season’s build-up is the role of Bollywood personalities in elevating the sport’s profile. Among the most prominent figures is Shashank Khaitan, a respected writer, producer, and director in the film industry, who also co-founded Global Sports. His involvement brings a layer of visibility that extends beyond typical sports audiences.
Khaitan sees pickleball as a sport on the brink of mainstream breakthrough.
“Pickleball is no longer the hidden star of the racquet sports world—it’s ready for its moment. With this auction and Season 2 of the League, we’re not just creating teams; we’re creating benchmarks. And a platform where dreams can come true.”
This crossover appeal—where sport meets entertainment—could prove vital in introducing pickleball to millions of Indians who may not yet have followed the sport closely. Just as cricket drew massive attention with celebrity investment, pickleball could be poised for similar momentum.
A Pivotal Step Toward the Global Stage
The anticipation surrounding September 7 is not just about which players go to which team. It’s about what the event represents for pickleball in India. By hosting a live, competitive auction, GSP is sending a clear signal that it intends to professionalize the sport, broaden its audience, and create a sustainable model for future growth.
Fans will have the opportunity to witness strategy in action, as franchises weigh their budgets and priorities while competing for the best possible lineups. With YouTube streaming making the process globally accessible, this is a chance for pickleball in India to showcase its ambition to the world.
Link : https://www.youtube.com/@globalsports_pickleball
News in Brief: GSP Season 2 Auction 2025
Global Sports Pickleball’s Season 2 auction in Mumbai has all the ingredients to become a landmark event—ten competitive teams, a diverse talent pool, and the added boost of Bollywood star power. More than just a draft, the auction is a sign of how far the sport has come in India and where it is heading next.
As the countdown begins to September 7, players, teams, and fans alike will be watching closely. If Season 2 delivers on its promise, it could mark the turning point where pickleball moves from being a fast-growing sport to becoming a mainstream fixture in India’s sporting landscape with global aspirations.
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