The growing passion for Pickle Ball in India demonstrates untapped potential for brands
Mumbai: In a bid to bring unique and fresh sports formats to India, Havas Play India, the activation arm of Havas Media Network, is launching the TATA.ev Pickleball Weekend Fiesta. Nearly 200 Picklers from across Delhi & NCR will participate in this open team-format tournament that blends fun, food, live music, and play for a unique experience that celebrates one of the fastest growing sports in India and across the world.
The Pickleball Weekend Fiesta will commence on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at one of Delhi’s most premium venues – the Vasant Vihar Club, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. This event will feature an open team-format tournament with gender-neutral doubles, catering to both beginner and advanced players. Pickleball communities from across the country will be joining this day-long tournament, participating in competition and activities curated by the Havas Play team in association with Aditya Oberoi, a sports marketing consultant and a seasoned Pickleball player, bringing insights from the game and ensuring a world class experience.
TATA.ev joins as the title sponsor, aligning with the event’s focus on sustainability. The event is powered by Realme Mobile and supported by partners such as ICICI Direct (Associate Sponsor), Eldeco (Real Estate Partner), Storia (Hydration Partner), Stay Vista (Luxury & Hospitality Partner), Fans Play (Fan Engagement Partner), Fittestclub (Sports Accessory Partner), Hudle (Community and Ticketing Partner), Franklin (Ball Partner), Medulance (Medical Partner), Fan To Park (Sports Experience Partner), Radio City (Radio Partner), Republic TV (News Partner) and Vasant Vihar Club (Venue Partner).
Globally, nearly 80+ countries play Pickleball and in India there are over 15,000 registered players, with 21 states that have registered Pickleball Associations across the country. The sport is hugely popular in cities including Delhi & NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and has a growing footprint in cities including Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Indore & Bhopal, with new ranking systems, leagues, tournaments & events proliferating across India.
Commenting on their association with the TATA.ev Pickleball Weekend Fiesta 2024, Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., said, “For TATA.ev, the Pickleball Weekend Fiesta perfectly embodies the blend of community, sustainability, and technology—values that lie at the heart of our mission. As one of the fastest-growing sports globally, Pickleball is gaining remarkable traction in India, with over 10,000 active players and an impressive annual growth rate of more than 30%, both in participation and court development. The sport’s unique blend of accessibility, low environmental footprint, and emphasis on inclusivity deeply resonates with our commitment to a greener, more inclusive future. By supporting events like this, we not only foster healthy, active communities but also promote collaboration that drives meaningful progress for both society and the planet.”
“Havas Play is committed to creating content and experiences that are intertwined with consumer passions and activate in the spaces that matter most to people,” shared Charlie Farrant, Global Managing Director, Havas Play. “The growing passion for Pickle Ball in India demonstrates untapped potential for brands, and we are excited to partner with TATA.ev for this event that will both provide a forum for enthusiasts to connect with fellow sports lovers and demonstrate to brands the untapped potential in this area.”