News & Stories
Mar 5, 2025
India's pickleball community has expanded dramatically, with player numbers surging 159% since 2019. From Mumbai's bustling suburbs to Bangalore's tech corridors, the sport is gaining ground as new courts appear in sports clubs, residential complexes, and dedicated facilities.
The growth mirrors India's deep-rooted sporting culture, where racquet sports like badminton already thrive. Local tournaments are drawing increasingly diverse crowds, from former tennis players to young professionals discovering the sport for the first time.
From Backyard Fun to Global Phenomenon
Born in the U.S. in 1965, pickleball has taken the world by storm. Its easy-to-learn rules, social appeal, and health benefits make it the perfect sport for people of all ages. In the U.S., the game has seen an incredible 263.5% increase in players since 2014, with an 85.7% annual surge since the pandemic. Cities are rushing to build courts, converting tennis spaces into pickleball-friendly arenas to keep up with demand.
Asia is quickly catching on. China and India are leading the charge, with China projected to have over 10,000 courts and 100 million players in just five years. Meanwhile, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea are rapidly building courts and launching leagues to cater to their growing pickleball communities.
(Photo Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-sports/in-a-pickle-play-ball/article65630052.ece)
India: The Sleeping Giant Awakens
With over 50,000 players and 2,000 courts, India has the second-largest pickleball community in the world. But here’s the catch—our infrastructure is lagging behind demand. Unlike the U.S. and Europe, where governments actively fund public pickleball courts, most Indian facilities are privately owned, limiting access and slowing growth.
Key Pickleball Hotspots in India:
Gujarat: ~500 courts
Maharashtra: ~120 courts
Delhi NCR: 70-100 courts
Bangalore, Vadodara, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chennai: 100-200 courts
Despite this expansion, we need more courts, more funding, and a stronger grassroots movement to truly make pickleball a household name in India.
Why Pickleball is a Goldmine for Investors
With its low investment costs and high revenue potential, pickleball is an absolute no-brainer for investors. Aditya Khanna, co-founder of Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), breaks it down:
Building a brand-new pickleball court costs ₹4-5 lakh per court.
Converting an existing tennis court into a pickleball court? Just ₹50,000-₹75,000 per court.
A four-court facility on an existing surface costs ₹2-3 lakh, while constructing a new one would be ₹16-20 lakh.
Revenue Breakdown:
Minimum court booking rate: ₹600 per hour
Average daily usage: 5-6 hours
Monthly revenue per court: ₹90,000 - ₹1.08 lakh
Monthly revenue for a four-court facility: ₹3.6 lakh - ₹4.32 lakh
Annual revenue for a four-court facility: ₹43.2 lakh - ₹51.84 lakh
With demand soaring, investments in pickleball courts can be recouped in just a few months, making this an irresistible business opportunity.
(Photo Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20240603-pickleball-great-balls-of-fire-2543355-2024-05-24)
Government & Public-Private Partnerships: The Missing Piece
Despite its rapid growth, pickleball in India is still waiting for a major push from the government. Unlike the U.S., where local governments actively fund and maintain courts, India’s expansion is largely driven by private academies and sports clubs. But things are changing.
Take Kolkata, for example—recently, the city unveiled its first public pickleball court, backed by the State government and a local councillor. This is exactly the kind of initiative needed to make pickleball accessible to everyone.
Yash Jain, owner of Dink Pickleball in Surat, agrees. He notes that the quality of existing tennis courts plays a big role in determining conversion costs. A newer tennis court requires minimal work, keeping expenses low, while older courts may need resurfacing, adding to the cost.
How We Can Push Pickleball Forward:
Government Investment: Build public courts in parks, schools, and stadiums.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborate with private investors to expand infrastructure.
School & University Programs: Introduce pickleball in PE curriculums to get young athletes involved.
Community Engagement: More tournaments, workshops, and leagues to keep the momentum going.
(Photo Source: https://t2online.in/videos/video/pickleball-is-courting-celebrities-and-fitness-enthusiasts/1132119)
What’s Next? The Future of Pickleball in India
Despite rapid growth in player numbers, key challenges remain. Local organizers point to the need for more dedicated courts, especially in tier-2 cities. Training programs and coaching certification systems are still in early stages, while government recognition – crucial for structured development – is pending.
'We're seeing tremendous interest, particularly from young professionals and former racquet sports players,' says Rahul Kumar, president of the All India Pickleball Association. 'But we need more infrastructure to support this growth.'
Recent partnerships between private sports academies and real estate developers suggest positive momentum. Several states, including Maharashtra and Karnataka, are considering including pickleball in their sports development programs.
