India’s first-ever franchise-based Pickleball league, The World Pickleball League (WPBL) is all set to make its historic debut in Mumbai as announced on Wednesday.

The league will kick off at the iconic Brabourne Stadium, home to the Cricket Club of India (CCI), on January 24, 2025, creating a history to mark the first non-cricket sporting tournament to be held on CCI’s legendary cricket ground in over 15 years.

Present at the grand announcement event were Bollywood celebrities and sports personalities including Luv Ranjan, Karan Johar as the Brand Ambassador, Hemal Jain Founder of Global Sports Pickleball and Partners writer Director and Producer Shashank Khaitan, Yuvi Ruia Pro Pickleball player and Scion Essar Industries and Anubhav Singh Bassi who unveiled the India Open 2025—Asia’s largest Pickleball tournament.

Pickleball’s rise is now being mirrored in India, as one of the fastest-growing sports globally, and the India Open 2025 will be the catalyst for its explosive growth in the region.

The World Pickleball League aims to combine the rapidly growing sport of Pickleball with a high-profile platform by showcasing world-class players and thrilling competition, making it a key moment in India’s sports calendar.

The collaboration will bring together top talent from around the world, placing India at the forefront of the global Pickleball scene. India which is known for its passion for cricket with this league will also make its mark in the world of non-cricket sports, further promoting sports diversity in the country.