Bengaluru, India | May 14, 2026 What started as an electric opening night for Bengaluru’s first franchise-style pickleball league has quickly evolved into one of the city’s most exciting new weekend sporting and social experiences.
The opening weekend of the Sumadhura Centre Court Pickleball League saw over 1,200 attendees turn up for packed matches, food pop-ups, cocktails, live music, and community-led celebrations, setting the tone for a seven-week league that blends competitive sport with Bengaluru’s growing culture scene.
Since then, the momentum has only continued.
On May 9, over 1,500 fans packed the arena once again for another high-energy evening of intense rallies, close finishes, music, food, and post-match celebrations. One of the standout ties of the night came between the Southern Primes and Rally Renegades, with fiercely contested matches keeping spectators engaged well into the evening.
“Pickleball is growing rapidly in Bengaluru, but what we’re seeing now is a real culture forming around it. Apartment communities, workplaces, friend groups – everyone wants to be part of it. The response over the first two weekends has shown us there’s genuine appetite for a professionally run league experience that still feels fun, social, and accessible,” says Yashwanth Biyyala, Co-founder, Centre Court Sports and Entertainment.
Anchoring these sports-meets-community weekends are players with strong competitive pedigrees, including several former professional tennis players, bringing athleticism and tactical depth to the league. Sharmada Balu leads Rally Renegades with elite experience and composure, while Rashein Samuel brings a power-driven, high-control style to Southern Primes. For Mana BMR Smash Club, Ranjit Kupli offers a calm, measured game that quietly dictates the pace of play, contrasted by Nin9s player Avilay Jha, whose analytical approach allows him to adapt and outmanoeuvre opponents in real time. Adding further intensity to the competition, Rishi Reddy of Depot18 Chargers thrives in fast, high-pressure rallies, while Prerana Prathap brings a calm, strategic presence built around consistency and sharp court awareness.
Matchdays also feature curated food and beverage experiences designed to make the league feel as much like a weekend social destination as a sporting event. Supporting this vision is title sponsor Sumadhura Group, alongside partners Labonel Fine Baking and Red Rhino Craft Brewery. Centre Court BLR has steadily evolved into a broader lifestyle and cultural experience. Opening night featured a live halftime performance by acclaimed tabla artist Ved Prajapati, while the May 9 fixtures included music and entertainment led by Adi Lodha, alongside late night comedy segments and reaction games. Food pop-ups from favourites including Mezcalita, Monkey Bar, Serious Slice, BLR Bistro and Daysie, and drinks from Johnnie Walker, Mossant Fermentary, Subko, and Araku kept the crowd refuelled throughout the evening. Pets, families, first-time spectators, and seasoned players all mingled through the evening, reinforcing the league’s larger vision of making pickleball social, accessible, and community-driven.
“What’s been incredible to watch is how rapidly the league has become more than just a sport. From opening night itself, people stayed back long after the matches ended – talking, eating, cheering for teams they probably didn’t even know until a few weeks ago. That sense of community is exactly what we hoped to build with Centre Court BLR. Even through the rain this weekend, people stayed back for the music, comedy, conversations, and the matches. That energy has been amazing to witness,” says Vikrant Rao, Co-founder, Centre Court Sports and Entertainment.
The next round of fixtures will be on May 16, May 23, May 24 and the semi-final and final games on May 30, with organisers expecting a growing crowd as the league continues to build momentum through the season.
Follow Centre Court BLR on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/centrecourtblr/ More on the website here https://centrecourtblr.com/
The Centre Court Pickleball League
The Centre Court Pickleball League brings together six teams – Depot18 Chargers, Mana BMR Smash Club, Net Ninjas, Nin9s, Rally Renegades, and Southern Primes – each comprising 10 players, in a seven-week, franchise-style format. Coming at a time when pickleball in India is seeing explosive growth, with over 150,000 active players and 1,200+ courts nationwide, the league brings together professionals, former athletes, and first-time players. The event aims to bridge the gap between sport and socialising, reflecting how pickleball is rapidly becoming part of the urban lifestyle.
The event is taking place at a custom-built pickleball arena at Chamara Vajra, Jayamahal Road from April 25, 2026 until the end of May, 2026, with the final and semi-final matches set to take place after the league stages. Each game weekend sees three sets of games, starting from 4.30pm until 11pm.
Team Name
Captain
Southern Primes
Rashein Samuel
Rally Renegades
Sharmada Balu
Mana BMR Smash Club
Ranjit Kupli
Net Ninjas
Prerana Prathap
Nin9s
Avilay Jha
Depot 18 Chargers
Rishi Reddy
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