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Mumbai to host global pickleball league season two and grand slam 2025
MUMBAI: Mumbai will host season two of the Global Sports Pickleball Pro and Challenger League alongside the Grand Slam 2025 from December 16 to 23, as the sport sharpens its competitive footprint in India.
The week-long tournament at the Andheri sports complex will feature leading international players, top Indian talent, emerging athletes and 10 team owners, underlining India’s growing appeal as a destination for elite pickleball.
Proceedings will open with a grand ceremony on December 16 at 5 pm, to be broadcast live on Zee5, Zee Café and &flix. The event will include the unveiling of the 2025 trophy and an exhibition match featuring select marquee players.
Global Sports Pickleball has partnered with Zee5 for nationwide broadcast coverage. The Grand Slam matches will be streamed exclusively on Zee5 from 9 am to 12 pm, while the Pro and Challenger League fixtures will air daily from 3 pm to 10 pm across Zee5, Zee Café and &flix.
“The 2025 season brings an exciting mix of players, from Asia’s no. 1 Quang Duong to 15-year-old sensation Arjun Singh and experienced competitors such as Megan Fudge,” said Hemal Jain, chief designer – pickleball growth, global sports pickleball. “Indian players competing alongside the world’s best will accelerate the sport’s development in the country.”
With international stars, structured formats and expanded television and digital reach, the Global Sports Pickleball League and Grand Slam 2025 are positioned as one of India’s most ambitious pickleball showcases to date.
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Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
