India's sporting arena is set to welcome a thrilling new addition as the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) receives the official green light from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Spearheaded by The Times Group in collaboration with the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA), this pioneering league is poised to make its grand debut next month, marking a significant milestone for the rapidly growing sport.
IPBL Tournament Schedule and Venue
The inaugural season of the Indian Pickleball League, now recognized as the nation's sole national pickleball league, is scheduled to run from December 1 to December 7 this year. The action-packed tournament will unfold at the prestigious KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, located within the Indira Gandhi Stadium complex in New Delhi, promising a week of high-octane competition.
Meet the Competing Franchises
A total of six teams will battle for supremacy in this exciting new league. The first five franchises announced for the inaugural season are:
- Gurgaon Capital Warriors
- Mumbai Smashers
- Bengaluru Blasters
- Chennai Super Warriors
- Hyderabad Royals
The identity of the sixth and final team is expected to be revealed in the coming days, adding to the anticipation.
Vision and Enthusiasm from Stakeholders
The official announcement for this landmark sporting event was made in Chennai, graced by the presence of Tamil Nadu's Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, alongside actors Seeleela and Kayadu Lohar.
Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, expressed his vision, stating, "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."
Franchise owners echoed this enthusiasm, highlighting the perfect synergy between the sport and their cities. Pankaj Bansal, Director of M3M India and owner of the Gurugram franchise, noted, "Gurugram loves fast, social, high-energy sport. Being the city’s first major league franchise makes this moment even more special."
From the tech hub, Vasanth Kalyan, CEO of Bengaluru Blasters, shared, "Bengaluru reflects the pulse of new India, quick, expressive, and competitive. Pickleball feels tailor-made for this city."
Nitish Mittersain, CEO of Nazara Technologies, championing the Mumbai Smashers, said, "Mumbai thrives on speed, skill, and competition. Pickleball fits right in, and we’re excited to champion the city in a league built for the future."
Representing the southern spirit, Dr. Swetha Sundeep of Accord Group, owner of the Chennai Super Warriors, added, "Chennai has always backed competitive, high-energy sport. Pickleball adds a new dimension to that spirit, and we’re proud to represent the city in IPBL’s first season."
Fans are encouraged to track all official updates on the league's official website, www.pickleballnow.in.
