Archive · 25 Jan 2026
WPBL Emerges as India's Top Pickleball League
Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponappa Natekar, former top tennis players in India, started the World Pickleball League (WPBL) in 2024.
It's now the biggest pickleball league in India.
The first season had players from 14 countries and was held at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai.
For the second season, starting in January 2026, they have players from 25 countries and will be at Jio World Garden.
They also do events called WPBL On Tour to keep people interested in the sport all year.
The league is getting more popular and is seen as a big deal in Indian sports.
WPBL, founded by Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponappa Natekar, is now India's top franchise-based pickleball league.
Season 1 featured 48 players from 14 countries and was held at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai.
Season 2, scheduled for January-February 2026 at Jio World Garden, includes players from 25 countries, with 18 countries represented in the final picks.
WPBL On Tour, a series of off-season events, aims to engage fans and expand the sport's reach nationwide.
The league is gaining attention from brands and broadcasters, with estimated viewership of 8-12 million per season and multi-crore sponsorship deals.
- Who
- Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponappa Natekar, founders of WPBL
- What
- World Pickleball League (WPBL) established as India's premier franchise-based pickleball league
- When
- Founded in 2024, Season 1 launched in January 2025, Season 2 scheduled for January-February 2026
- Where
- Mumbai, India (Season 1 at CCI, Season 2 at Jio World Garden)
- Why
- To professionalize pickleball in India and create a global franchise-based league
- Founders
- Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponappa Natekar
- Launch Year
- 2024
- Season 1 Venue
- Cricket Club of India (CCI), Mumbai
- Season 2 Dates
- Late January to early February 2026
- Season 2 Venue
- Jio World Garden, Mumbai
- Countries in Season 1 Draft
- 14
- Countries in Season 2 Draft
- 25
- Countries with Players Picked in Season 2
- 18
- WPBL On Tour Events
- 57