The Lucknow Leopards, a team in the Indian Pickleball league (IPBL), have announced that they will sponsor the Indian National Pickleball team for the pickleball world cup 2026. The tournament will take place in Da Nang, Vietnam, from August 30 to September 6.

Along with the announcement, the franchise also revealed the official jersey that the Indian team will wear during the world cup. The jersey was unveiled at an event in Gurgaon, where many of India’s top pickleball players were present. Bennett University has also joined the initiative as a co sponsor.

According to a Lucknow Leopards press release, the Indian team will enter the world cup after an impressive performance in the previous edition held in Miami, USA, where the team won 25 medals including 8 gold, 8 silver, and 9 bronze and finished seventh overall.

The Lucknow Leopards also announced the Lucknow Leopards championship, which will be held on August 21 and 22 at Bennett University, Greater Noida. The tournament will offer a total prize pool of Rs.10 lakh, making it one of the biggest pickleball events in India. Players will compete in five categories, including men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

The tournament has been given PWR 700 status, which means players can earn important ranking points. It is also part of the Road to IPBL programme, giving talented players a chance to qualify for the IPBL player auction and earn a place in the professional league.

Lucknow Leopards owner Shreya Agarwal said the franchise wants to support Indian Pickleball by helping the national team and creating more opportunities for players through top level tournaments. Indian Pickleball association president Suryaveer Singh Bhullar welcomed the initiative and said it will help the sport grow in India by giving players better exposure and encouraging more people to take up pickleball.

With the world cup sponsorship, the launch of the Indian team’s jersey, and the announcement of a Rs.10 lakh championship, the Lucknow Leopards have taken an important step towards promoting pickleball in the country.