WPBL Partners with Komerz India to Drive Major 2026 Sponsorship Push
Mumbai, India
What's the Score?
Mumbai, India – India’s rapidly accelerating pickleball scene has received a substantial commercial boost with the World Pickleball League (WPBL) announcing the appointment of Komerz India as its exclusive sales and sponsorship agency. This partnership is a strategic move to aggressively scale commercial rights and sponsorships ahead of the WPBL Season 2, scheduled for January 2026 at the Jio World Garden in Mumbai. The mandate signals the WPBL’s firm intention to solidify its position as a major sports and lifestyle property.
Hit it Deeper!
Komerz India, which is the Indian subsidiary of the UK-based Komerz Global, will take charge of managing the WPBL’s central sponsorship inventory and all commercial rights. According to Gaurav Natekar, Founder and CEO of WPBL, the move was necessitated by the "enormous success" of Season 1, and the appointment provides the dedicated expertise needed to scale partnerships effectively.
The timing of this commercial initiative aligns with pickleball’s massive growth trajectory in India, transforming it from a niche activity into a mainstream phenomenon. The league has garnered significant celebrity engagement, featuring six city-based franchises owned by prominent figures such as cricketer Rishabh Pant, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and filmmakers Atlee and Priya Atlee. This star power extends the league’s appeal far beyond traditional sports enthusiasts.
The collaboration offers brands diverse and scalable avenues for engagement. These include:
- Flagship Exposure: High-visibility opportunities and hospitality during the main Season 2 event in Mumbai.
- WPBL On Tour Visibility: Scalable, year-round engagement through the more than 57 grassroots events hosted nationwide under the WPBL On Tour umbrella.
- Hyperlocal Activations: Opportunities for city-level franchise integrations, allowing brands to connect with specific local demographics.
The goal is described as going beyond mere logo placement, focusing on "meaningful brand storytelling" across India's expanding pickleball ecosystem. WPBL’s model successfully combines elite competition with deep grassroots engagement, attracting a diverse demographic of young urban professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and families drawn to the sport’s inclusive nature. AMP Sports & Entertainment, WPBL's exclusive strategic partner, facilitated the deal and will work closely with Komerz India to identify high-impact commercial opportunities.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The WPBL's partnership with Komerz India is a decisive commercial manoeuvre, confirming that professional pickleball leagues are prepared to capitalise fully on the sport's explosive growth in emerging markets. By leveraging celebrity ownership and coupling major flagship events with an expansive 57-plus event grassroots tour, the WPBL is presenting a commercially robust package.
This strategy provides brands with unparalleled access to diverse demographics, signaling that the league views itself not just as a sporting competition but as a major Indian lifestyle and entertainment platform ready for long-term association.