Indian Pickleball League marks new chapter in country’s sporting landscape

The inaugural edition of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) is set to be held in the national capital from December 1 to 7, marking a major step toward popularising one of the world’s fastest-growing sports in India. The event, announced on Thursday, will feature teams comprising players from India and abroad, competing through a week of round-robin and knockout matches leading up to a high-energy finale.

The league has been launched by The Times Group, sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), and recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, making it the only officially approved national competition for the sport in India.

The organisers are yet to announce the exact venue, though the event is expected to take place at a premier indoor facility in the National Capital Region, with the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium emerging as a likely option.

While the total number of participants has not been disclosed, sources in the Indian Pickleball Association indicated that multiple teams representing different regions of India are expected to take part, each featuring a mix of domestic and international players. Competitors from leading pickleball nations such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as emerging Asian countries like Thailand and the Philippines, are likely to participate.

Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, President of the Indian Pickleball Association, said that the league’s launch represents a defining moment for the sport in India.“The launch of IPBL marks a defining milestone for pickleball in India. This league represents the scale and structure needed to take the sport to the next level,” he said.

Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, described the initiative as a landmark in India’s evolving sports ecosystem.“We are proud to introduce the Indian Pickleball League, a landmark initiative that marks the next leap in India’s sporting evolution. As the only league in the country officially sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association, our vision is to build a professional, credible, and inclusive platform that unites top talent from across India,” he stated.

He added that the league is intended to go beyond competition, aiming to inspire wider participation, elevate performance standards, and position India at the forefront of the global pickleball movement.

Pickleball, a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has seen a sharp rise in popularity worldwide over the past decade. India now has an estimated 10,000 active players, and the introduction of a professional league is being viewed as a major boost for the sport’s domestic growth.

With the IPBL bringing together national and international talent, the event is expected to serve as both a showcase of India’s sporting potential and a catalyst for the sport’s wider acceptance across the country.

Country of origin

Pickleball was invented in the United States in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington.It was created by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum as a family-friendly game combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.Originally designed for backyard play, it has since evolved into a competitive sport with professional leagues and international tournaments.