Karnataka’s Inaugural Pickleball League To Begin From Oct 9

Bengaluru: A new chapter in Karnataka’s sporting landscape is set to unfold this October as the Karnataka Pickleball Premier League (KPPL) makes its debut. Coorg Originals, the pickleball franchise from JoshuaTree.

PLAY, will take to the court alongside six other franchise teams. The inaugural league will be held from October 9 to 11 at GKVK, Bengaluru, bringing together players from Karnataka and across India for three days of competitive pickleball.

The inaugural league will feature seven franchise teams and 56 players. The players were selected from a pool of 89 through a nine-round draft held in Bengaluru on September 20. With teams representing different districts of Karnataka and players from across India, KPPL aims to create a new platform for competitive pickleball. It will also bring athletes, communities and sporting talent together on one stage.

Joshua Upputuru, Founder & Director, Joshua Tree, said, “We are very excited to see Coorg Originals take the court. For us, this is the beginning of a larger journey in sport — discovering talent, building teams and creating sporting properties. Pickleball offers a very exciting space to be part of, and we are looking forward to seeing where this journey takes us.”

For Joshua Tree, a creative company working across AI, VFX, content creation and storytelling, the league marks the first sporting venture under JoshuaTree. PLAY, its newly launched sports vertical. The vertical focuses on discovering talent, building teams and creating sporting properties. Coorg Originals is its first sporting property. The team is built around the spirit of Coorg and its philosophy, MADE OF COORG. It brings together players from different sporting backgrounds and is led by captain Poojith P., with Kuldip Ravindra Mahajan as its icon player.

The inaugural season will feature seven franchises — Bengaluru Chargers, Coorg Originals, Mangaluru Roarers, Mysuru Royals, Belagavi Barons, Ballari Tuskers and Tumakuru Titans. Franchise owners, captains and coaches came together at the event to unveil their respective team identities ahead of Season 1.

A.G. Shivakumar, President, Karnataka State Pickleball Association, said, “KPPL represents an important step for pickleball in Karnataka. By bringing the association, Entropy Sports and Events, and seven franchises together, we are creating a professional platform for the sport to grow at every level. Our aim is to give players greater opportunities while taking pickleball to a much wider audience across the state.”

With pickleball gaining momentum across India, KPPL has the potential to grow into a major sporting property in the years ahead. For brands, celebrities and sporting partners, it offers an opportunity to be part of the sport’s growth story from the very beginning.

“What excites me about KPPL is the energy and momentum around pickleball today. The sport is attracting a new generation of players and fans, and Karnataka has a wonderful opportunity to be at the heart of that growth. I’m happy to be associated with the league and to be part of its first chapter,” echoed KPPL Brand Ambassador and Kannada film star, Sriimurali.

For the inaugural season, Coorg Originals has also partnered with U&I Trust as its Social Impact Partner, bringing a focus on education, mentorship and opportunities for young people from underserved communities.