A paddle and pickleballs on the pickleball courts at Tropical Park on March 23, 2023 in Miami. (Jose A. Iglesias/El Nuevo Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Jose A. Iglesias | Up-to-date Herald | Getty Images
America’s fastest growing sport, pickleball, is attacking a fresh frontier: India.
The United Pickleball Association and Global Sports announced a deal Thursday to bring the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball to the world’s most populous country.
This is the first international agreement and major announcement for the United Pickleball Association, which was formed last February following the merger of Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association.
Following the merger, the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball retained their own separate brands. The PPA Tour features an individual bracket-style tour, while the MLP is a team format.
Terms of the contract were not available.
“PPA Tour India and MLP India will create a pathway for players to compete on the biggest pickleball stage and reach the very top of the sport. By partnering with Global Sports, we will elevate the game and introduce it to millions of fresh fans,” said Connor Pardoe, founder and CEO of the PPA Tour.
As part of the partnership, the official stop of the PPA Tour will take place in India next February. The Indian Open will be the PPA Tour’s debut event in Asia and is expected to feature players from around the world.
The deal will also launch PPA Tour India, offering players ranking points at events across the country.
Major League Pickleball, a team league, will host a competition in India that will feature players from India as well as professionals from the MLP and PPA Tour leagues.
The United Pickleball Association said the group also plans to conduct an open process to sell MLP franchises, with the goal of launching a full 12-team season in 2025-2026.
According to sources, franchise costs are expected to be in the seven-figure range.
In September, Major League Pickleball announced its expansion to Australia.
The APP Tour, representing both amateurs and seniors, has actively contributed to bringing the sport abroad to India, the UK, Spain and Sweden.
Global Sports, which has been at the forefront of introducing pickleball to India, operates courts and organizes tournaments in India.
“Pickleball in India has grown at a rapid pace over the last few years, which will provide existing players with a platform to compete at the highest level,” said Shashank Khaitan, partner at Global Sports.
