Lucknow Leopards to sponsor India’s Pickleball World Cup team, launch Rs 10 lakh event

GURGAON: The Lucknow Leopards are serving up more than just competition. The Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) franchise has announced its sponsorship of India’s national pickleball team for the Pickleball World Cup 2026, while also unveiling the team’s official jersey and launching a Rs 10 lakh prize money tournament aimed at strengthening the domestic talent pipeline.

The announcement was made in Gurgaon, where some of India’s leading pickleball players are currently competing. The Pickleball World Cup 2026 will take place in Da Nang, Vietnam, from August 30 to September 6, with the Lucknow Leopards backing the Indian contingent as it looks to build on its strong international debut.

As part of the announcement, the franchise also revealed the official jersey that Team India will wear during the World Cup. Bennett University has joined the initiative as a co-sponsor.

India heads into the tournament with growing confidence after an impressive debut at the previous Pickleball World Cup in Miami, where the team secured 25 medals, including eight gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals, to finish seventh overall.

The franchise also announced the inaugural Lucknow Leopards Championship, scheduled for August 21 and 22 at Bennett University in Greater Noida. The tournament will feature a total prize pool of Rs 10 lakh, with Rs 2 lakh on offer in each of five categories: Pro Men’s Singles, Pro Men’s Doubles, Pro Women’s Singles, Pro Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

The event has been designated a PWR 700 tournament, making it one of the highest-ranking domestic pickleball competitions in India. Players will compete not only for prize money but also for valuable national ranking points.

Importantly, the championship forms part of the Road to IPBL series, giving standout performers a direct pathway to the Indian Pickleball League Player Auction and a chance to represent one of the league’s franchises.

Speaking about the initiative, Lucknow Leopards owner Shreya Agarwal said, “Pickleball is growing at an extraordinary pace in India and it is time for franchise owners to step up and invest in the sport, not just in the league, but in the Indian team. Sponsoring our national side for the World Cup is a proud moment for the Lucknow Leopards and a statement of our belief in Indian pickleball on the global stage.”

She added that the Lucknow Leopards Championship aims to provide India’s best players with a world-class platform while creating a genuine pathway into the IPBL through the Road to IPBL programme.

Indian Pickleball Association president Suryaveer Singh Bhullar welcomed the move, saying, “The Lucknow Leopards’ decision to sponsor the Indian team for the World Cup is exactly the kind of investment that will accelerate Indian pickleball. When franchise owners align with the national programme, everyone wins. The players get better resources, the sport gains visibility and India gets stronger results on the world stage.”

He added that the combination of PWR 700 status and a substantial prize pool demonstrates the franchise’s long-term commitment to developing the sport in India.

With investment flowing into both elite competition and grassroots development, the Lucknow Leopards are positioning themselves as more than just an IPBL franchise. Their latest initiatives underline a broader ambition to help Indian pickleball grow at home while making a stronger mark on the international stage.