India marked a major milestone in its sporting landscape as the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta, officially unveiled the trophy and inaugurated the inaugural season of the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
Launched by The Times Group, IPBL becomes India’s first and only national pickleball league, sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, and endorsed by the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF). With Delhi as the Partner State, the Chief Minister’s presence highlighted the Capital’s commitment to supporting emerging sports and shaping an inclusive sporting ecosystem.
The ceremony began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Chief Minister, followed by the unveiling of the league’s coveted trophy. The season officially kicked off with the opening match between the Bengaluru Blasters and the Lucknow Leopards.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Hon’ble Chief Minister said, “The Indian Pickleball League is a new event and a new game for our country. I am very happy that India has always been a nation of diverse sports; understanding, watching, and playing sports has always been a part of every Indian’s life. Since the arrival of India’s Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he has made sports an important part of India’s culture. Because of this, every state in our country now aspires to be involved in all kinds of sports, both national and international. Today, the Times has not only organized the Indian Pickleball League but has also built a complete association and foundation. This new game is now being embraced by Indian players, and I would like to congratulate all of you for this achievement.”
The league’s first edition brings together 36 elite athletes—including global professionals, top Indian players, and rising talent—across six franchise teams: Mumbai Smashers, Bengaluru Blasters, Capital Warriors Gurgaon, Hyderabad Royals, Chennai Super Warriors, and Lucknow Leopards.
Vineet Jain, Managing Director, The Times Group, outlined the league’s vision, saying, “We step onto this stage with confidence and wisdom, marking not just an inauguration but the beginning of a sporting movement in India—one that empowers every young player to grow, shine, and dream without limits. We are committed to making football the country’s second most popular sport after cricket, and to build that momentum, we will offer 500 seats to school students every day. Today, we launch a new era, one that future generations will remember for its players, arena, and pioneering team owners who believed in this league. To all the players, coaches, and general managers, thank you—your passion drives us forward. As the Indian Football League begins today, let’s lead with confidence, raise the bar, and rise together.”
International names such as Quang Duong, Megan Fudge, Mitchell Hargreaves, Roos van Reek, and Ben Newell join Indian stars including Aditya Ruhela, Mihika Yadav, Aaliya Ebrahim, and Ammol Ramchandani. The league format includes a round-robin stage followed by knockout rounds, leading to the Grand Finale on December 7.
The inauguration saw participation from senior IPA officials, franchise owners, global athletes, and prominent figures from the sports, business, and entertainment sectors, marking the formal launch of India’s newest national sporting property.
Javier Regalado, President, Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), praised the initiative, saying, “The launch of the Indian Pickleball League marks a significant moment in the global journey of our sport. India is poised to become one of Pickleball’s most vibrant frontiers, and this league will play a crucial role in bringing new fans, players, and stakeholders into the fold. We are proud to endorse this initiative and wish it immense success in elevating Pickleball to the next level.”
Adding strength to its debut edition, the Adani Group has come on board as the Powered By Partner, alongside Delhi Tourism, District, and 17 additional partners—signalling strong institutional backing for one of India’s fastest-growing racquet sports.
With its national launch, the Indian Pickleball League sets the foundation for a new sporting movement, positioning pickleball as a major participation-driven and spectator-friendly sport in the years ahead.
