The United Pickleball Association and Global Sports have agreed on a deal to bring the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball to India, the world’s most populous country.
Key Initiatives
The United Pickleball Association (UPA) is the parent company of the Professional Pickleball Association (Carvana PPA Tour), Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville) and the United Pickleball State Championship Series.
As part of the partnership, the organizations will launch key initiatives across the country, promoting the rapidly growing sport to a young market.
Top PPA Tour players will hold a marquee exhibition at the PPA Tour India Monsoon Pickleball Championships in Mumbai, India, in August 2024. In addition, 20 PPA Tour players will compete in the event’s pro division.
We announced the formation of the UPA at the end of March.
An Official PPA Tour Stop In India
February 2025 will see an official PPA Tour stop in India – the Indian Open 2025 – worth 1,500 PPA ranking points. Pro players from all over the world will participate in this debut PPA Tour event in Asia.
PPA Tour India will officially launch, offering PPA Tour ranking points to players at events around the country to expand the global reach of professional pickleball and provide an opportunity for players to rise in the rankings.
MLP India will debut with a week-long competition featuring players from India as well as top MLP and PPA Tour professionals. UPA plans to hold an open process to sell MLP franchises with the goal to launch a full 12-team season in 2025/2026.
Additionally, all events moving forward within this partnership will be run on Pickleball Inc.’s industry-leading software and technology, including Pickleball Brackets, Pickleball Tournaments, and Pickleball.com’s club, league and ladder software.
“An Extremely Exciting Moment”
“This is an extremely exciting moment for the United Pickleball Association, expanding the sport’s reach to a very promising market,” said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the PPA Tour. “The PPA Tour India and MLP India will create a pathway for players to compete on pickleball’s biggest stage and reach the top of the sport. With the partnership of Global Sports, we will elevate the game and introduce it to millions of new fans.”
“Partnering with the United Pickleball Association to bring the PPA Tour and MLP to India is a great step forward for the sport. Pickleball in India has grown by leaps in the last couple of years, and this will give existing players a platform to compete at the highest level. Since its inception, Global Sports has been committed to growing the game, and this partnership will elevate its status,” Said Shashank Khaitan, Partner at Global Sports.
Etched Its Legacy
Global Sports has etched its legacy in the dynamic world of Pickleball in India. It was started by four individuals who belong to different business streams: Hemal Jain, Suresh Bhansali, Niraj Jain, and Divyesh Jain. Further partners include Shashank Khaitan, a prolific Bollywood director, and Yuvi Ruia. Most recently, Karan Johar, India’s foremost film producer and director, partnered with Global Sports.
It has single-handedly changed the landscape of pickleball in India with over 8 facilities and 36 pickleball courts. The success of the two editions of the Indian Open 2024 has further cemented Global Sports as a serious sporting institution with over 1200 participants from over 12 countries and an equal record number of participants at the annual Monsoon Pickleball event.
The Indian Open and Monsoon Pickleball Championship are marquee events organized by Global Sports.
Pick more of our Indian Pickleball coverage here.
