Indian Pickleball League unveils its franchises in Chennai ahead of Its First Season
The Indian Pickleball League, the country’s first and only nationally recognised pickleball league, marked a major milestone with its grand inauguration on October 18 at the prestigious ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The event drew athletes, franchise owners, federation officials and media representatives from across India, reflecting the growing excitement around pickleball, a sport that has rapidly evolved from a niche pastime to a competitive phenomenon embraced by players of all ages.
The league is sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, giving it official national legitimacy and placing it at the forefront of structured pickleball development in the country. At the inauguration, the organisers formally introduced the franchises that will compete in the league’s debut season. Five teams have been confirmed so far, representing some of the country’s biggest urban centres, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Gurugram. These teams will take the court as the Gurgaon Capital Warriors, Mumbai Smashers, Bengaluru Blasters, Chennai Super Warriors and Hyderabad Royals. A sixth team is expected to be announced soon, gesturing that the league is poised for further expansion even before the first season begins.
The inaugural season will be held in the national capital, with matches scheduled from December 1 to December 7 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall inside the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex in New Delhi. The choice of venue emphasises the ambition behind the league, as it aims to showcase pickleball on a national stage and draw attention from sports enthusiasts across India.
Speaking at the event, Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, the company launching the league, highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative. “These teams represent the scale, ambition and reach that define the Indian Pickleball League. Together, they bring a fresh competitive spirit that will help make pickleball a modern fixture in India’s sporting landscape,” he said, emphasising how the league intends to bridge entertainment, competition and community engagement.
Several franchise owners and leaders also addressed the audience, offering insights into their investment, expectations and the sport’s future in India. Among them were Pankaj Bansal, who leads the Gurugram franchise; Vasanth Kalyan, the CEO of the Bengaluru team; Nitish Mittersain, representing Mumbai; Swetha Sundeep, owner of the Chennai side; and Anubhav Tyagi from Hyderabad. Each spoke about pickleball’s fast-growing popularity, the increasing professionalism around the sport and the possibilities that a structured league opens for aspiring athletes and fans. Many highlighted the league as a platform that could propel Indian talent onto international tours while simultaneously drawing global players to compete on Indian soil.
Beyond the competitive aspect, the Indian Pickle League is positioning itself as a catalyst for expanding the sport’s reach among everyday enthusiasts. Pickleball’s accessibility and fast-paced nature have made it a favourite among diverse groups, corporate professionals seeking an active break, students looking for a leisure sport, and even young children discovering a fun and energetic game. With millions of new players taking to the sport worldwide, India is now tapping into this.
By bringing together top Indian and international players, the league hopes to provide a professional, high-energy environment that inspires new athletes and introduces the wider public to one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. As the countdown to December begins, excitement continues to build, with the inaugural season set to mark a moment in the rise of pickleball across the country.
