Swiggy Ltd (NSE: SWIGGY), India's leading on-demand convenience platform, has officially entered the sports arena as the proud owner of Team Mumbai in the World Pickleball League (WPBL). Co-founded by former Indian tennis players Gaurav Natekar and Arati Ponnappa Natekar, WPBL is India's first franchise-based global pickleball league, with its inaugural season scheduled from January 24 to February 2, 2025. Swiggy becomes the second team owner, following actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who owns the Chennai franchise.

Pickleball, a rapidly growing sport globally, is renowned for its accessibility across age groups and its appeal as both a recreational activity and lifestyle trend. With the first WPBL season set to be hosted in Mumbai, Swiggy's ownership of Team Mumbai positions the brand to connect deeply with the city’s sports and lifestyle enthusiasts. The league promises high-energy matches and an electrifying atmosphere as six teams compete to claim the championship title.

Rohit Kapoor, CEO of Swiggy Food Marketplace, expressed the brand's excitement, saying, "Pickleball is a fun, easy-to-play sport that embodies community and joy – values Swiggy champions. With our partnership with WPBL and Team Mumbai, we aim to create a vibrant experience where families and friends come together for food, fun, and sport." This alignment with pickleball reflects Swiggy’s ethos of delivering happiness and connecting with consumers in innovative ways.

WPBL’s Co-Founder and CEO Gaurav Natekar added, "Having Swiggy as a Team Mumbai owner validates the league’s potential to become one of India’s premier sports events in the next few years. Swiggy’s involvement will amplify the sport's reach and foster community engagement, making pickleball a household name." With grassroots initiatives and collaboration with the All-India Pickleball Association, WPBL is poised to revolutionize pickleball in India, setting the stage for a lifestyle sport movement.