India is all set for a massive milestone in pickleball by hosting the Pickleball World Cup. Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, president of the Indian Pickleball Association, revealed that India is in line to host the next Pickleball World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in 2026. The decision to bring the prestigious tournament to India follows successful international events like the PWR DUPR India Masters, which attracted top-tier players from around the world.
"We have actually spoken to Cabieses Foundation, and we are hoping to win the World Cup in India soon. We had a word with them, and we said that, you know, maybe you should look at doing the Peru World Cup in India, and they have promised to look at 2026 as a possible venue in India," said Bhullar in an exclusive chat with Pickleball Now.
India is certainly not alien to hosting an event on such a large scale. While the World Cup was on, at the same time, New Delhi was hosting several pickleball stars at the PWR DUPR India Masters, a PWR700 event on the PWR World Tour. As a PWR700 event, the tournament awarded players up to 700 ranking points, which are valid for 52 weeks, directly impacting their seeding and eligibility for future global competitions.
While the government's recognition of pickleball in India remains a key challenge, the potential for significant growth and development is undeniable.
"I do not see much of a challenge while hosting in India. The kind of infrastructure we have is top-notch. Take a look at Ahmedabad, for instance, where the Sabarmati riverfront sports complex can house a number of courts. Other cities in India, too, have plenty of courts available. Sponsorship is not a problem; the only challenge we face is that the government has not recognised the sport. That is what we are hoping for, " he concluded.