Indian League Launches, Canadian Trades, Sponsorships, Events

Good morning, pickleballers.

Halfway through yet another week, wow.

And loads of pickleball news from around the world for you to dive into.

The Chess Game of Pickleball: Pros Reveal Three Tactical Patterns for Multi-Shot Success

Charlotte, United States – Advancing in pickleball demands anticipating opponents and planning multiple shots ahead, much like a chess game. According Top Pros, mastering specific shot combinations is essential for moving beyond recreational levels and systematically creating winning opportunities. It is not enough simply to hit one good shot.

Professional player Eric Roddy highlights three "pro-proven scenarios" designed to put a player in a high percentage position to win the point. The first pattern involves Speeding up Down the Line and Covering Middle. If playing the left side, a player should use dinks to eventually find a ball good enough to speed up, specifically targeting the right hip of the right-side opponent across the net. Immediately after hitting this first shot, the player must move to cover the middle of the court, which is the most likely spot for the opponent to counter or reset the ball. Crucially, the speed-up must be low and accurately placed; a high speed-up allows the opponent to counter easily.

The second pattern involves the Third shot dropping or driving cross-court to set up your partner to poach. If playing the right side, the third shot should drop or drive through the middle toward the opponent on the right side, targeting their left hip or backhand. This forces the opponent to hit a low volley, enabling the partner on the left side to move forward and then pinch toward the middle to poach the fifth shot. This move, if timed correctly, forces opponents into high-quality volleys and can generate errors due to pressure.

Finally, the third pattern is Hitting behind your opponent to set up the Erne. This textbook move works both when all players are at the kitchen line and when opponents are in the transition zone. By hitting a volley down the line when opponents are moving forward, the opponent is often forced into a fifth-shot reset or drop back down the line, creating an easy opportunity for an Erne attempt. Pro Tyler Loong executes this perfectly, rolling his volley across from him and then jumping the kitchen line to reach the ball.

India’s Pickleball Revolution: IPBL Unveils Five City Franchises Ahead of December Debut

New Delhi, India – The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) officially announced its first five franchises ahead of its inaugural season, which is scheduled to run from December 1–7, 2025, at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. Launched by The Times Group and sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the IPBL is recognised as India’s only official national league for pickleball.

The first five city teams unveiled are the Gurgaon Capital Warriors, Mumbai Smashers, Bengaluru Blasters, Chennai Super Warriors, and Hyderabad Royals. A sixth franchise is expected to be announced soon. The league aims to establish Delhi as the epicentre of India’s next major sporting revolution by bringing together top Indian and international players in a city-based format.

Indian star Mihika Yadav expressed her excitement for the upcoming debut, stating that the IPBL will showcase the true identity and "fearlessness" of India’s emerging talent. She believes leagues like the IPBL are the "boost the younger generation needs". Owners are equally enthusiastic; Pankaj Bansal of the Gurgaon Capital Warriors noted that the Gurugram franchise marks a historic moment as the city’s first-ever team in a national sports league. Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, stated that the teams represent the "scale, ambition, and reach" defining the IPBL, aiming to make pickleball a modern fixture in India’s sporting landscape.

Bengaluru Blasters Ignite IPBL with AI-Driven Performance Systems

Bengaluru, India – The Bengaluru Blasters are set to be a highly anticipated team in the inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), which kicks off in New Delhi in December 2025. The launch of the IPBL follows the city's recent success in hosting the IPA Nationals, India’s biggest pickleball showdown.

The Blasters franchise is owned by LA HUDDLE LLP (Sport-O-Fit) and Empatio Cloud Pvt. Ltd. The team is spearheaded by Vasanth Kalyan, who serves as CEO of Bengaluru Blasters. Kalyan, an expert in AI-driven performance systems and digital optimisation, brings predictive analytics and automation into athlete development through his ecosystem, which integrates sports-tech wear, data science, and advanced modelling to build a next-gen talent pipeline. Kalyan champions “Human-AI Teaming” to deliver consistent, measurable, and high-performance outcomes.

The franchise is determined to make a significant mark in the IPBL’s debut season, especially given that pickleball has rapidly grown into one of Bengaluru’s premier sporting passions. Kalyan believes the city's characteristics—quick, expressive, and competitive—make pickleball "tailor-made" for it. The Blasters aim to captivate the rapidly growing community of fans and players in the city by delivering a dazzling performance in the league’s inaugural week, held December 1–7, 2025.

World No. 1 Staksrud to Headline Hangzhou Open, Fresh Off World Championship Success

Hangzhou, China – World No. 1 men's singles player Federico Staksrud is confirmed to participate in the PPA Tour Asia’s final event of the season, the Hangzhou Open, set to run from December 3-6 at the Linping Sports Centre. His attendance is expected to draw major fan interest.

Staksrud recently dominated the Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships in Dallas. At the Worlds, he secured the gold medal in singles by defeating Chris Haworth. He also performed exceptionally in men’s doubles, teaming up with Hayden Patriquin to upset top seeds Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio in an emotional semifinal, before ultimately defeating JW Johnson and CJ Klinger on Championship Sunday. Staksrud and Patriquin claimed their first title of 2025 at that event.

The upcoming Hangzhou Open is a high-stakes tournament, featuring $50,000 (USD) in prize money, along with 1,000 Asia ranking points and 500 PPA Tour points. Before heading to China, Staksrud is currently competing in the Veolia Lakeland Open, presented by Six Zero, where he is participating in men's singles, men's doubles with Tyson McGuffin, and mixed doubles alongside Parris Todd.

First Trade of C4 Offseason: Drive Moves Up to #3 Pick in CNPL Draft Swap with Lights

Toronto, Canada – The Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) C4 offseason officially heated up with the first trade of the draft season, as the Detroit-Windsor Drive and Northern Lights swapped picks ahead of the January 27 draft.

The Detroit-Windsor Drive moved up two spots in the crucial third round, securing pick #3 overall (out of a total of six picks in that round). In return, the Drive slid back four spots in both the fifth and sixth rounds, receiving picks #17 and #25, respectively. The Northern Lights acquired the Drive's original picks: Round 4, pick 2 (5); Round 5, pick 2 (13); and Round 6, pick 2 (21).

For the Detroit-Windsor Drive, which recently signed Stevie Petropouleas (the #6 overall player in 2025) in free agency, this move signals they have a specific target in mind for the third round to complete their roster, which requires one female and two open players. Meanwhile, the Northern Lights are accumulating draft capital to provide greater flexibility. The Lights, who need two female and two open players, must believe they can still acquire good value at the #5 pick, allowing them to build around key players Joel Pelletier and Danielle Boss. With trading now officially open, this initial deal may be the precursor to more significant activity leading up to draft day.

Hyderabad Royals Enter IPBL Backed by Operam Ventures’ Tech and Youth Vision

Hyderabad, India – The Hyderabad Royals have officially joined the Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) ahead of its inaugural season in December 2025, bringing a leadership approach focused on technology, innovation, and youth culture. The franchise is owned by Operam Ventures, led by Director G. R. K. Chaitanya and Managing Director Anubhav Tyagi.

Operam Ventures, established in 2019, operates across diverse sectors including technology, education, finance, esports, and healthcare, focusing on providing digital access and creating pathways for young talent. This tech-driven philosophy now informs the Royals' approach to professional sport.

Anubhav Tyagi emphasised that the team’s mission extends beyond match results, focusing instead on empowering athletes, inspiring communities, and setting new standards for pickleball. Their strategy blends Hyderabad’s tech-driven energy with the city's long-standing sporting enthusiasm. The Royals, according to Tyagi, stand for heritage, pride, and high-performance sport. G.R.K. Chaitanya's vision centres on leveraging technology and broad participation to grow the sport across South India. The Hyderabad Royals are now among the first set of teams preparing for the IPBL debut, which runs from December 1–7, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.

Malaysian Star Jimmy Liong Parts Ways with Facolos After ‘Heartfelt’ Partnership

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Jimmy Liong, recognised as Malaysia’s top male pickleball player, has concluded his highly successful partnership with global paddle brand Facolos. The Vietnam-based company and Liong both used social media to mark the end of their collaboration.

Liong penned a heartfelt message, stating he was "not sure how to start this, it is a tough one". He offered special thanks to Facolos Co-Founder and Vice President, Jessica Vo, whom he met at the D-Joy Open in Saigon about a year ago. Liong credited Facolos with shaping his career, helping him grow into the player he is today, and shaping him as a human being, calling them a "vital figure" in his career.

During his time with the Facolos Global Team, Liong had become a highly regarded professional, most recently securing a bronze medal in the Pro Men’s Singles 5.0 and Above category at the PPA Australia's Melbourne Pickleball Cup. Liong concluded his message with the cliché but memorable phrase, “Don’t dwell on it because it’s over, but smile because it happened!”.

New Multi-Sport Hub Proposed: Padel and Pickleball Courts Planned for Chester FC Grounds

Chester, England – Plans have been formally submitted to Flintshire County Council to construct a new sports facility featuring padel and pickleball courts within the grounds of Chester Football Club’s Deva Stadium. The proposal, submitted by DR Architects Ltd on behalf of Pick Padel Ltd (based in London), seeks to repurpose an underutilised section of the existing car park.

The comprehensive plan includes four padel courts, one singles padel court, and three dedicated pickleball courts. To support the facility, a hub will be constructed using repurposed shipping containers, accommodating a reception area, a café, changing rooms, and toilets. Additionally, two of the padel courts are planned to be covered with a canopy.

The development aims to create an inclusive, high-quality sports facility that caters to both competitive and casual players of both padel and pickleball. By utilising the existing car park area, the project maximises land use without encroaching on greenfield areas and is designed to complement existing football club operations. The scheme also includes 37 dedicated parking spaces and secure, covered cycle parking for 10 bicycles. A decision on the planning application is currently expected by December 31.

CourtReserve Secures $54 Million Investment to Scale Pickleball Court Management Platform

United States – CourtReserve, the club-management platform powering court-booking software for thousands of pickleball clubs, announced a significant milestone: a $54 million growth investment from private-equity firm Mainsail Partners. This investment marks a bold new chapter for the company, which manages scheduling, membership, and player experiences for court-based sports.

CourtReserve’s origin story dates back to 2016, when founders Tim and Ashley Owens sought a better solution than labour-intensive spreadsheets, phone calls, and emails at racquet sports clubs. The idea originated from a "wall full of sticky notes". Today, the company is serving thousands of clubs and millions of players in the U.S. and internationally.

The new capital injection is expected to fuel faster innovation, leading to the imminent rollout of new features and slicker tools for membership, scheduling, lessons, leagues, and ladders. It will also enable deeper service and education support, helping clubs grow their communities. The founders, who realised they needed the right partner to achieve their vision, are embracing growth by shifting their motto to "The dream is to scale". The investment is seen as a "siren call," signalling that the technological infrastructure of the sport is evolving rapidly.

Power Financial Credit Union Named Official Partner of 2025 Geico APP Tour Championships

Fort Lauderdale, United States – Power Financial Credit Union (PFCU) has established a major presence in the nation’s fastest-growing sport by announcing a premier partnership with the Association of Pickleball Players (APP). PFCU has been designated the Official Credit Union of the Geico® APP Tour Championships.

The partnership allows PFCU to tap into the pickleball movement—which is embraced by nearly 50 million adult Americans—to share a message of financial empowerment and smarter money management. Allan Prindle, President and CEO of PFCU, noted that pickleball aligns perfectly with the credit union's mission to serve members and their families, as the sport unites people of every generation.

The Geico® APP Tour Championships, which serve as the APP Tour season finale, are scheduled to bring together top professional and amateur players from December 10–14, 2025. The event will be held at The Fort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which is the home of the APP and features 43 courts, including the world's first dedicated pickleball stadium. As part of the collaboration, PFCU will be the presenting sponsor of the APP CEO Challenge on December 9th. This pro-am event will pair South Florida business leaders with professional players to compete for charity, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Jason Taylor Foundation.

Chennai Super Warriors Aim to Conquer IPBL, Backed by Accord Group

Chennai, India – The Chennai Super Warriors franchise is gearing up for a major debut in the inaugural Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), which will be held from December 1–7, 2025, in New Delhi. The franchise’s participation marks a significant boost for Tamil Nadu, which is already an active hub for the sport, highlighted by the city hosting the Rise Up Championship.

The Chennai Super Warriors are backed by Accord Distillers and Brewers, a division of the Chennai-based Accord Group. The Accord Group is a diversified entity led by Chairman Sundeep Anand, with interests spanning hospitality, healthcare, real estate, and manufacturing. The strong corporate backing and flourishing local sporting culture position the Super Warriors to make a powerful impression in the league.

Dr. Swetha Sundeep, representing the Accord Group as the owner of the franchise, emphasised that Chennai has a long history of backing competitive, high-energy sports. She stated that pickleball adds a new dimension to that passion, and the team is proud to represent the city in the IPBL’s first season. The Super Warriors aim to bring Chennai’s growing energy and sporting culture to India’s biggest pickleball platform, which is sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA).

JOOLA, Facolos, and Luzz Join UPA Asia Trailblazers Programme to Cultivate Next Generation of Champions

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – The UPA Asia Trailblazers Programme has secured the backing of three renowned paddle manufacturers—JOOLA, Facolos, and Luzz—as official partners for its second season. JOOLA, arguably the world’s number one paddle brand, and Vietnam-based Facolos, a rising Asian power, are returning as Paddle Partners, while Luzz joins the initiative for the first time.

The goal of the Trailblazers Programme is to discover, nurture, and empower young talent to build the foundation for pickleball’s sustainable growth in Asia and beyond. As partners, these brands will equip Asia’s rising talent with high-performance equipment. Tom Nguyen, CEO, Asia Pacific at JOOLA, expressed honour in supporting the initiative that "cultivates the champions of tomorrow".

The program has already demonstrated its effectiveness: alumni from the Class of 2025 include Kim Eunggwon, who is now ranked No. 1 in Men's Doubles for PPA Tour Asia, and Yufei Long, who holds the No. 1 rank in Women's Singles Asia after claiming four PPA Tour Asia gold medals. Shortlisted candidates for the upcoming Class of 2026 will attend a Pre-selection Training Camp in December at the Infinity Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, mentored by head coach Collin Johns. Top performers will earn a two-year UPA Asia Pro Contract and a fully-funded, six-week immersion experience in the USA.