While there are a number of current competitions and leagues within the US, the Pickleball World Series would be the first event with world ambitions and also will have a considerably enhanced leisure quotient. In the primary yr, the Pickleball World Series will comprise of 64 gamers within the particular person format and 6 groups comprising 4 gamers every, from the US and the remainder of the world, together with India – which is the rising hotspot for Pickleball.

Times Group Managing Director Vineet Jain states: “Pickleball is gaining ground as the game for urban sports enthusiasts. Times Group is known for its innovation and ability to be ahead of the curve in every one of its initiatives and we hope that this effort to take the fastest growing modern sport to the next level will inspire its exponential growth all over the world including in India. I personally believe that in five to seven years, Pickleball will overtake Tennis in terms of participation.”

Times Group CEO, New Media and Investments, N Subramanian adds: “Rapidly accelerating participation and increasing fandom is driving the popularity of many innovative sports globally. That is the opportunity we spotted in Pickleball, an exciting sport that is being enjoyed by millions the world over. Powered by passion and fueled by competition, this fun and immersive sport has won over the hearts of Gen Z and Millennials, making it a natural choice for our partnership and an important addition to our portfolio of strong brands. The Pickleball World Series, our marquee event, will provide a unique platform to bring out the best in players and teams, for fans to enjoy and support their favourites, and for brands to engage and interact with these audiences.”

Pranav Kohli of Pickleball Asia says: “The Pickleball player community is now 60 million strong worldwide and is growing steadily. We could not have found a better partner, anchor and investor than the Times Group –which brings us many positives that will swiftly move the needle of growth. That is a big gain for the sport and the Series.”

Outlining details, he said: “Pickleball World Series will embody the spirit of the Pickleball community and aim to provide action-packed competition along with scintillating entertainment built around the game. Starting in the US, the Pickleball World Series will travel across different continents with six major events. The Series will be supported by Pickleball World Rankings, a one-of-a-kind ranking system that allows players to accumulate points and qualify for the Pickleball World Series. We expect this will enable Pickleball stars to rise from different corners of the world and not just from the US.”

Pranav Kohli is a fourth-generation entrepreneur related to the legacy model “Stag” – which is well-liked because the makers of desk tennis gear throughout the globe—in addition to Pickleball Asia and Pickleball United. In his brief time as CEO, Pickleball United has grow to be one of many high infrastructure suppliers for Pickleball within the US and is related to main occasions each within the US (eg Pickleball Slam, US Indoor National Championships, US Open, and so on), in addition to in different territories just like the English Open, Bainbridge Cup (Spain), and so on.