Southern Primes Clinch Championship in Inaugural Season
The inaugural Centre Court Pickleball League concluded in Bengaluru on May 30, with Southern Primes lifting the championship trophy after a six-week season that featured more than 60 players, over 12,000 attendees, and record crowds for a community-led pickleball event in the city.
Southern Primes completed a dominant playoff run, defeating Rally Renegades in the qualifier before overcoming Ayana Woods Chargers in the championship match. The final was played in front of a packed crowd that braved torrential rain and Bengaluru's notorious traffic.
The season arrives at a pivotal moment for pickleball in India. In December 2025, Hyderabad hosted the Hyderabad Pickleball League, while the Centre Court Pickleball League simultaneously expanded through the CCPL Club League. More than 5,000 people attended the final weekend alone, underscoring growing demand for organised pickleball events that combine competition, entertainment, and community.
Southern Primes Deliver Under Pressure
In the final weekend playoff, Southern Primes edged Rally Renegades 4-2 in a fiercely contested qualifier. Rally Renegades struck first in Men's Doubles, but Southern Primes responded with victories in Women's Doubles, Men's Singles, Men's Doubles (2), and a dramatic Mixed Doubles encounter that finished 17-15. That result ended the Renegades' campaign and sent Southern Primes into the final against league leaders Ayana Woods Chargers, who had secured direct entry after topping the standings.
Led by standout performances from Rashein Samuel, Sonam Bali, Sonicka Jadeesh, and Shaun Gerard Laporte, Southern Primes stormed to victories in the opening four ties—Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, Men's Singles, and Women's Singles—securing the championship before the final two matches were required.
"The quality of play throughout the season has been incredibly encouraging, with more than 60 players competing at a high level and several emerging talents making a strong case for bigger opportunities. For us, that's one of the biggest wins of the league – creating a platform where competitive pickleball can thrive and grow," said Yashwant Baiyalla, Co-founder, Centre Court Sports & Entertainment.
Nearly 2,000 Fans Brave Rain for Finale
While the on-court action delivered championship drama, the atmosphere reflected how far the sport has come in India. Nearly 2,000 spectators attended finals day despite intermittent rain, arriving to watch their favourite players and experience the unique blend of sport, food, music, and community that has become synonymous with the Centre Court Pickleball League.
The halftime show by multi-lingual band Curry On My Mind transformed the venue into a festival atmosphere, with music, lights, and crowd participation creating an energy more reminiscent of a concert than a traditional sporting event.
The championship celebrations also recognised standout performers. Rally Renegades' Sharmada Balu was awarded Best Female Player of the Tournament, while Ayana Woods Chargers' Rishi Reddy earned Best Male Player honours. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award went to Rashein Samuel of Southern Primes, whose performances epitomised the competitive spirit that defined the league.
CCPL Signals Next Phase of Pickleball Growth
Alongside a growing number of city-based competitions, pickleball is rapidly evolving from a recreational activity into a structured competitive ecosystem. The Centre Court Pickleball League's franchise-based format, professional presentation, live streaming, and community-first approach reflect a broader shift in how the sport is consumed by players and fans.
"What we've witnessed over the last six weeks, in Bangalore and also in Hyderabad, is far bigger than a sporting competition. People came for the pickleball, but they stayed for the atmosphere, the friendships, the food, the music, and the sense of belonging. Seeing nearly 2,000 people brave the rain on finals day tells us that Bengaluru is ready for a new kind of sporting experience. That's what Centre Court Pickleball League was built to create," said Vikrant Rao, Co-founder, Centre Court Sports & Entertainment.
For Southern Primes, the trophy is a fitting reward for consistency, composure, and execution. For the league, the bigger victory may be what happened beyond the scoreboard. If the scenes from finals weekend are any indication, this is only the beginning.
