Explosive Growth & Infrastructure
- Court boom: From ~200 courts in early 2024 to over 1,200 today, with 3–4 new courts opening weekly in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, and beyond .
- Player base: Projected to hit 1 million active players by 2028, driving demand for ~2,500 courts .
- Community hubs: Platforms like Turf Town and Pickleball Arena facilitate online court booking, coaching, and equipment sales.
🏢 Governing Bodies & Associations
- All India Pickleball Association (AIPA): The long‑standing body promoting the sport since 2006, affiliated with the International Pickleball Federation.
- Indian Pickleball Association (IPA): Recently formed, seeking national federation status—an initiative currently contested by AIPA leadership .
🏆 Major Tournaments & Leagues
- Global Sports Indian Pickleball Open (Goa, Feb 2023): India’s first international PWR/DUPR event.
- PWR DUPR India Masters (Delhi, Oct 2024): 750 players competed for 700 ranking points.
- World Pickleball League (WPBL): India’s first franchise league (six teams), backed by Gaurav Natekar & celebrities, debuted at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium in Jan 2025 .
- Coimbatore Pickleball Open (Aug 23–24, 2025): Tamil Nadu’s first PWR 200 event, set to attract top national talent .
- Pickleball Asia Cup: To be hosted in India later this year, highlighting the country’s regional leadership .
🌟 Notable Indian Players
- Armaan Bhatia: Claimed men’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles at the PWR DUPR India Masters; ranked within Asia’s top 50.
- Mayur Patil: Silver medallist at the 2023 Bainbridge Cup (English Open).
- Rithika Ramakrishna: National‑level competitor and vocal advocate of DUPR/PWR ranking systems .
- Emerging names like Keyur Jain, Samantha Ruth Prabhu (investor), and regional champions in Mumbai, Goa, and Jharkhand keep pushing the sport’s profile.
🤝 Corporate & Policy Backing
- Workplace adoption: PepsiCo, Myntra, RPG Raychem and others are installing in‑house courts to boost wellness and team‑building .
- Municipal policy: Ahmedabad’s draft regulation of net‑sports structures (including pickleball) mandates plot size, safety clearances, and fees—reflecting urban planning’s embrace of the sport .
