What’s the Score?
Bengaluru, India – The second edition of the World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Series India 2025 powered by Skechers is set to commence tomorrow, November 25, at the Top Spin Tennis Academy. Following the success of the inaugural Mumbai event, the Bengaluru championship is attracting 304 participants across numerous age and skill categories. The tournament, organized in collaboration with the Karnataka State Pickleball Association (KSPA) and the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), features an appealing ₹15,00,000 prize pool, ranking it among India’s highest-rewarding pickleball competitions.
Hit it deeper!
The WPC Series India 2025 is scheduled for four days, running from November 20th to 23rd (Note: The article states the championship is set to kick off tomorrow, November 25, but later mentions the schedule is 20th to 23rd November 2025, suggesting a potential discrepancy in published dates, but affirming the current date of publication is November 24, 2025). The event is a key component in the broader vision of establishing a professionally structured and expanding pickleball ecosystem across India.
The tournament’s structure is comprehensive and inclusive, covering a wide range of categories for both singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Age groups span from junior categories (Under 14 and Under 18) to senior competition (60+ and 50+), alongside the open categories (19+, 35+). The skill levels include Intermediate, Advance, and Open across various formats, ensuring a platform for players at every stage of their development.
The significant prize pool of ₹15,00,000 (15 lakh) is intended not only to reward excellence but also to motivate players and celebrate the sport’s growth across regions and categories. This financial commitment firmly places the WPC Series India among the nation’s top pickleball events.
Fans and spectators are anticipating high-quality competition, with a watch list of top Indian athletes including Vrushali Thakre, Sonu Kumar Vishwakarma, Vanshik Kapadia, Anjali Pol, and Ritam Chawla, among others, all recognized for consistent national and international performances.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Mr. Arvind Prabhoo, President of AIPA and Global Director of WPC, emphasized the event’s significance, calling it more than just a tournament—it is a “celebration of the sport’s growing spirit and India’s rising prominence in global pickleball”. Mr. Jan Papi, Founder of the World Pickleball Championship, noted that India’s passion has been “truly inspiring” and that the WPC Series India has become an integral part of the global championship calendar. Hosting this edition is particularly meaningful for Bengaluru, which, according to Mr. Rajath Kankar, State Secretary of KSPA, is a “frontrunner in promoting emerging sports”.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The return of the WPC Series to India, particularly with such a substantial prize pool, signifies the successful mainstream maturation of pickleball within the country. The collaboration between the WPC, AIPA, and KSPA demonstrates a commitment to building a deep, structured ecosystem that nurtures talent from junior levels (Under 14) through competitive professional brackets. By offering inclusive categories and a major financial incentive, the WPC Series is effectively positioning pickleball as a viable and rewarding professional sport in India, validating its growing national prominence on the world pickleball map. The enthusiastic local support from Bengaluru further cements the city’s role as a vital hub for emerging sports.
Chris Beaumont
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefChris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…
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