The Lucknow Leopards pickleball franchise announced a sponsorship deal for the Indian national team ahead of the 2026 Pickleball World Cup [1].

This partnership represents a significant investment in the sport's domestic growth, linking a professional Indian Pickleball League (IPBL) franchise with the national team to increase visibility and support for athletes on the global stage [2, 3].

As part of the announcement, the Lucknow Leopards unveiled the official jersey that the national team will wear during the competition [1, 2]. The sponsorship is intended to fuel the dreams of the national team and promote the expansion of pickleball across India [3].

The 2026 Pickleball World Cup is scheduled to take place in Da Nang, Vietnam [1, 4]. The tournament will run from Aug. 30 to Sept. 6, 2026 [4].

In addition to the World Cup support, the Lucknow Leopards are organizing their own championship event. This competition is scheduled for Aug. 22–23 and carries a PWR 700 rating [2].

The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) is coordinating the selection process for the athletes who will travel to Vietnam [4]. The IPA said it hopes that the national champions will perform strongly given the increased corporate backing and resources provided by the IPBL franchise [3].

“Lucknow Leopards announced a sponsorship deal for the Indian national team”

The alignment between a private league franchise and the national governing body suggests a shift toward a more commercialized professional model for pickleball in India. By sponsoring the national team for a major international event in Vietnam, the Lucknow Leopards are attempting to bridge the gap between regional league popularity and global competitive success.