New Delhi, March 16 : The Indian Open 2026 will now be a PWR 1000 event sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association, marking a significant partnership between IPA and Global Sports. The tournament is scheduled from April 1 to 5, 2026, at Crosscourts in Hyderabad, featuring over 1,500 participants competing across 56 categories for a USD 50,000 prize pool.

This is the fourth edition of the Indian Open, which has attracted over 4,000 pickleball players from 19 countries across all categories in previous editions. Securing IPA sanctioning legitimises the previously unstructured Indian Pickleball scene. The collaboration between Global Sports and the Indian Pickleball Association integrates the country's largest private tournament series into the official national governance framework.

This milestone marks the start of future Global Sports events being officially overseen by the Indian Pickleball Association. Recognised as the sole official governing body of Pickleball in India, the Indian Pickleball Association achieved its National Sports Federation status from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

"This partnership is a milestone for Indian sports. By bringing Global Sports into the IPA fold, we are ensuring that every volley played in the Indian Open contributes to a single, unified vision for the country. We are committed to providing our athletes with a world-class platform that is governed by the highest standards of integrity and excellence," said Suryaveersingh Bhullar, President, Indian Pickleball Association (IPA)

Global Sports has played a vital role in hosting major events in India, featuring the largest prize pools and the highest participation nationwide. Events like the Monsoon Pickleball Championship and the recently finished Grand Slam demonstrate their dedication to elevating pickleball in India.

The Indian Open's move to a PWR 1000 event significantly impacts athletes. Implementing a standard ranking system along with centralised management provides important advantages, including clear player development routes, consistent governance, high competition standards, and reliable data integrity.

/IANS