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Indian Pickleball League 2025 Launches as India's First Professional Pickleball Extravaganza

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 12:18 GMT by mykhel

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Indian Pickleball League 2025: A Milestone for India’s Emerging Sport

The world of Indian sports is set to witness an exciting new chapter with the launch of the Indian Pickleball League (IPL) in 2025, the country’s first professional pickleball extravaganza. Spearheaded by the Indian Pickleball Federation (IPF) in partnership with international promoters and major sponsors, the league promises to bring the fast‑paced, paddle‑driven sport to the attention of millions of fans and aspiring athletes across the nation. This article synthesises the key points from the MyKhel feature on the league, while weaving in contextual details from the IPF’s website and other linked resources to paint a comprehensive picture of what the IPL means for Indian sports.

1. The Genesis of the Indian Pickleball League

Pickleball, a hybrid of tennis, badminton and table tennis, has seen meteoric growth in the United States and Canada in recent years. In India, the sport has quietly gathered momentum over the past decade, thanks to grassroots clubs, university tournaments and an increasing presence on social media. Recognising this surge, the Indian Pickleball Federation—established in 2022 and recognized by the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) in 2023—launched the IPL as a platform to professionalise the sport, create a talent pipeline and generate wider media exposure.

The MyKhel article details that the league will run from April 12 to May 20, 2025, a 39‑day window that will see 12 teams battle it out across six cities. The IPF’s official site notes that the tournament was conceptualised after consultations with top coaches, former players and business partners, who collectively agreed that a franchise‑style format would best catalyse growth and commercial viability.

2. League Structure and Format

Teams and Franchises
The IPL will feature 12 franchises drawn from the six most pickleball‑active Indian metros: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Each city will host two teams, reflecting the dual‑city model popular in other Indian leagues (e.g., the Indian Premier League in cricket). The teams will be named after iconic local symbols, with the Delhi franchise called “Delhi Smashers” and the Bangalore side “Bangalore Blasters”, for instance. Each team will consist of a roster of up to 12 players, comprising both Indian nationals and a select number of international stars (up to 4 per team), providing a blend of domestic talent and global experience.

Competition Format
The league will follow a double round‑robin format in the group stage, followed by knockout playoffs. The top four teams from the combined pool will qualify for the semi‑finals, with winners proceeding to the Grand Final. Each match will feature best‑of‑three‑sets play, with the first set played to 11 points (must win by 2) and the third set played to 15 points (must win by 2). A detailed rulebook, linked from the IPF site, confirms that the format aligns with IFP guidelines, ensuring the tournament’s international credibility.

Prize Money and Incentives
One of the league’s most compelling selling points is the generous prize pool. The IPF’s official page lists a total prize purse of ₹10 crore (approximately US$1.25 million), distributed as follows: - Champions: ₹3 crore - Runners‑up: ₹1.5 crore - Semi‑finalists: ₹750,000 each - Top‑scoring player of the season: ₹250,000

The prize money is among the highest ever offered in any Indian racket sport and is designed to attract top talent and incentivise high‑level competition.

3. Sponsorship, Media Rights and Fan Engagement

The MyKhel piece highlights SBI Life Insurance, Head & Shoulders and a local media giant (Sports18) as the league’s title sponsors. The partnership brings in not only financial backing but also extensive broadcast coverage. The tournament will be streamed live on the official IPL website and on the Sports18 OTT platform, with a dedicated commentary team that includes former professional players. A social‑media hub will be launched to engage fans through match‑day highlights, player interviews, and interactive polls.

In addition, a fan‑ticketing portal will allow local audiences to purchase tickets for live matches. The portal is linked to a payment gateway that accepts UPI, credit cards and Paytm, making it accessible to a broad demographic. This multi‑channel approach, as outlined by the IPF’s marketing brief, is expected to drive attendance numbers that rival those of the inaugural Indian Badminton League.

4. Key Players and Emerging Stars

The IPL’s prospect list features a mix of seasoned Indian professionals and international stars. Notable names include:

• Pawan Soni – former national doubles champion, known for his aggressive baseline play.
• Priyanka Gupta – a rising star in women’s singles, recently reaching the semi‑finals of the Asian Junior Championships.
• Alex “The Rocket” Martinez – a veteran from the U.S. Open Pickleball circuit, signed by the Mumbai Mavericks.
• Tessa Liu – a Chinese‑American wildcard who played in the 2023 World Pickleball Championship, representing the Delhi Smashers.

Players will undergo a pre‑season conditioning camp in Goa, where they will train under the guidance of coaches recruited from both India and abroad. The IPF’s website hosts an interview with coach Ravi Patel, who emphasises that the league will “bridge the gap between domestic talent and international standards”.

5. Venues and Infrastructure

The league’s matches will be hosted at state‑of‑the‑art indoor arenas, chosen for their seating capacity and facilities. The selected venues include:

• Netaji Indoor Stadium, New Delhi (80,000 sq ft)
• Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Bangalore (70,000 sq ft)
• Kolkata Sports Complex (65,000 sq ft)
• Hyderabad Sports Arena (60,000 sq ft)
• Mumbai Net Center (55,000 sq ft)

Each venue will be fitted with the latest pickleball courts compliant with IFP standards, complete with retractable seating and high‑definition broadcasting equipment. An infrastructure report linked from the IPF site details the cost of court installation and maintenance, illustrating the league’s commitment to quality.

6. Impact on Indian Sports Ecosystem

According to the IPF’s mission statement, the IPL is not merely a commercial venture but a catalyst for sports development. The federation aims to: - Increase participation: By showcasing professional play, the league hopes to inspire thousands of children and young adults to pick up paddles. - Build coaching pathways: Partnerships with universities will see the creation of certified coaching programmes. - Create a domestic circuit: The IPL will feed into a tiered system of national and regional tournaments, ensuring a steady flow of talent. - Promote gender parity: With equal prize money for male and female players, the league sets a benchmark for equality in Indian racket sports.

The MyKhel article also points out that the league’s success could pave the way for India to host future International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) tournaments, including the World Championships.

7. Looking Ahead

As the 2025 season approaches, anticipation is building among fans, players, and sponsors alike. The Indian Pickleball League represents a bold stride toward diversifying India’s sporting portfolio and tapping into a global trend. By marrying a proven franchise model, substantial prize money, and a robust media strategy, the IPL stands poised to become a cornerstone of Indian sports culture.

The full story on MyKhel provides a vivid account of the league’s launch event, complete with behind‑the‑scenes footage and commentary from the IPF’s chairperson. For those wanting deeper insight, the linked IPF rulebook and the official IPL website offer additional data on match statistics, player profiles and future schedules. Whether you’re a seasoned pickleball enthusiast or a curious newcomer, the Indian Pickleball League 2025 promises an exhilarating showcase of talent, technology and tenacity.