WPBL January Update: Festival Fever, Global Glories & The New Era!

Today’s WPBL newsletter is brought to you in partnership with the World Pickleball Magazine – the only pickleball magazine truly focused on the global game. Download January’s magazine for free today.

Hey WPBL Fam! Happy New Year! 🎆 The countdown is officially ON. January is not just another month; it’s the start of a landmark season. We are launching the World’s Biggest Pickleball Festival, debuting a revolutionary format, and our founders and players are lighting up the internet. Let’s dive in!

The World’s Biggest Pickleball Festival is Here!

Get ready for the ultimate “sportainment” experience! The WPBL is opening its doors for the World’s Biggest Pickleball Festival on January 24, 2026, at the Jio World Centre. This isn’t just a tournament; it’s a full-blown celebration.

Here is the lineup for the opening weekend:

• Battle of the Clans: The energy spills over into January 25 with a “Neighbour-hood” event where local pickleball communities battle it out to crown the best local picklers.

• The Fan Zone: An immersive experience featuring live entertainment, food stalls, and interactive activations to get the party started.

• Celebrity Pickleball Showdown: The main arena action kicks off with a unique twist! Watch team owners partner with pro players in a friendly but fierce mini-tournament.

On The Airwaves: Founder & Player Perspectives

We’ve been making waves online! Check out what the key voices of WPBL are saying about the upcoming season in these must-watch videos:

• Gaurav Natekar on Cyrus Says: WPBL Founder Gaurav Natekar sat down to discuss how the league is transforming the sport into a premium “sportainment” property. He highlighted the massive growth of the sport—noting that the average player age has dropped significantly to the 20s and 30s—and how 40% of players are women. Gaurav also explained that the new 15-minute timed format was specifically IP-ed and designed to be TV-friendly, solving the broadcast issue of unpredictable match lengths found in tennis.

YouTube Link to the video: –

https://youtu.be/gbmhfzmHjV4?si=5Ave76It1OuNXdWP

• Tanner Tomassi’s India Vlog: US Pro Tanner Tomassi dropped a video sharing his hype about competing in India! He breaks down the “completely different format” compared to the US, specifically the unique team structure featuring eight players from all over the world. Tanner is especially pumped about the Pickle Play rule, describing how a coach can grab a “massive paddle” to sub in a teammate and kill the opponent’s momentum.

YouTube Link to the video: –

https://youtube.com/shorts/7UoDQfLlECI?si=rT1mD_JLpctoX4tR

Season 2 Format Evolution: Faster & More Strategic

We are turning up the intensity on the court! Season 2 introduces key changes designed to enhance strategy and viewer engagement. All 7 franchises will compete across five match categories in every tie: Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles, Men’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, and Men’s Doubles.

Key Rule Updates:

• The Clock is Ticking: Individual matches are now timed at 15 minutes. The team leading when the buzzer sounds takes the win.
• Pickle Play Power: Teams can activate this for eight consecutive serves to substitute players and shift momentum.

Tie-Breaker Drama: Ties must produce a winner! If teams are level after five matches, we go to a Mixed Doubles Tie-Breaker played to 10 points (sudden death at 15-all!).

WPBL Stars Shining Globally!

Our roster is stacked with talent bringing home serious hardware from around the world.

• Katerina Stewart made waves at the PPA Florida Dairy Farmers Daytona Beach Open, winning Silver in singles.
• Thaddea Lock achieved the legendary Triple Crown at the Siena Open in Italy, taking Gold in Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
• Brooke Revuelta is dominating the APP NEXT circuit, holding the #1 overall ranking for 2025/2026 and grabbing Gold in Women’s Doubles.

Indian Powerhouses: Vrushali Thakare swept Gold in Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles at the WPC India Bengaluru, while Sonu Vishwakarma secured Gold in Singles and Doubles at the RYP ranking tournament.

Get Your Tickets on Swiggy Scenes!

Want to witness the action live? We are thrilled to announce Swiggy Scenes as our official ticketing partner for Season 2.

This partnership ensures a seamless experience for fans to discover events at the festival and grab their seats. Don’t miss out on the energy—head over to Swiggy Scenes to secure your spot now!

Watch WPBL Season 2 from Anywhere!

Can’t make it to Mumbai? We’ve got you covered globally. The WPBL has secured a massive lineup of broadcast partners to bring the action to your screens.

• In India: Catch the matches on TV via Eurosport or stream live on Sony LIV.
• Across Asia: Tune in via SPO TV.
• Global Fans: All matches will be available via international streaming on YouTube, making WPBL accessible to the world.

We are bringing pickleball closer to fans across regions as the sport continues its rapid global growth. Get ready for an unforgettable season!