Smashers Sports acquires Delhi franchise of World Pickleball League

Smasher Sports, backed by global investment firm Terra Invest and former Wimbledon tennis player Ashok Amritraj-backed Hyde Park Entertainment, has acquired the Delhi Franchise of the World Pickleball League (WPBL), the company said on Wednesday.

“The investment underscores the league’s potential to transform the country’s sports entertainment landscape,” the statement said.

The WPBL features six teams and is affiliated with the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA).


Ankiti Bose, Partner at Terra Invest, said: “With rising disposable incomes, AI-driven engagement platforms, and increased time for leisure activities, this market is on the cusp of exponential growth.”

Globally, private equity firms are increasingly investing in sports. Leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and Major League Pickleball (MLP) have seen strategic investments from private equity firms, creating new revenue models and global fan engagement in recent months.

Pickleball, a dynamic and fast-paced sport that combines the best elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has been rapidly gaining popularity in India. Its simple yet engaging rules and its emphasis on social interaction have made it a favourite among players of diverse ages and abilities. The number of pickleball players and courts has been steadily increasing and in the past 18 months, India has seen over 50,000 players participate in at least one pickleball game, and the number of courts has grown to nearly 1000.

Pickleball has managed to reach not just metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore but also smaller cities and towns like Jaipur, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Ambala. The sport's accessibility is driving its widespread appeal in tier-two, tier-three, and even tier-four towns, making it a grassroots-level success.

According to sports platform Hudle, India now has close to a thousand pickleball courts, and has found resonance in smaller towns as well, fuelled by low costs and low space requirements.