North India’s 1st Franchise Pickleball League Announced in Chandigarh

North India is all set to mark a significant milestone in the growth of emerging sports with the official announcement of the Tynor North India Pickleball Cup (NIPC) 2026 – Season 1 here today. Positioned as North India’s first franchise-style pickleball league, the tournament will be held on April 11–12, 2026 at Parvaaaz Sports, Mohali.

It is worth mentioning that pickleball is a fast-growing paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is typically played on a smaller court with a net, using solid paddles and a lightweight perforated plastic ball. The game can be played in singles or doubles format. Matches are usually played to 11 points, with a two-point margin required to win.

Speaking at a press conference at Chandigarh Press Club here today, Brig HPS Bedi, VSM, Army Veteran and Founder, NIPC, said: “Unlike conventional tournaments, the NIPC adopts a franchise-driven model where registered players enter an official auction pool and are selected by team owners. This system ensures balanced teams and fosters a competitive league environment.”

He added that NIPC promises a high-energy, competitive sporting experience, featuring over 140 players, a substantial prize pool of ₹25 lakh and a player auction scheduled for April 5 at Chandigarh Club.

Neeraj Mehta, Director, NIPC, said, “Beyond the tournament, NIPC plans to develop world-class playing infrastructure, support pickleball clubs across North India, and actively engage players through leagues, tournaments, and community events.”

According to him, the tournament will host multiple categories catering to diverse skill levels, including advanced, intermediate, youth, and 50+ players. Season 1 will also feature top-seeded players from across India alongside professionally managed franchise teams supported by business leaders and entrepreneurs.

A.J. Singh, Director, Tynor Orthotics, emphasised the brand’s commitment to promoting fitness, community engagement, and sporting excellence through its association with NIPC. “NIPC aims to establish a long-term, professional pickleball ecosystem by bringing together players, franchises, brands, and communities,” said Singh.

Franchise team GB Legends was represented by its CEO  Amit Sood. Sood  said, “Season 1 marks the beginning of a broader vision to position North India as a key hub for pickleball in India, while nurturing talent and building a vibrant sporting community, we are happy to be associated with NIPC.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by Dr. Jasbir Singh, JSK Blessing Homes – Franchise Team Owner and Mr. Ravinder Singh, Pushpanjali Foods Ltd. also a Franchise Team Owner. Both underlined the role of such leagues in connecting sport with community and business engagement.

Representatives from district pickleball associations, including Ashok Gupta (Mohali) and Anand Gupta (Panchkula), stressed the importance of structured competitions like NIPC in driving grassroots development and strengthening the regional sporting ecosystem.

The league has been conceptualized as a structured platform to promote competitive pickleball in North India, with the aim of building a professionally managed ecosystem that creates opportunities for players.