By Rahul Sadhu

Copyright timesnownews

Pickleball is going bigger and better, and this time it is heading to the shores. The Rise Up Championship – Pickleball By The Bay 2025 will be held from September 26 to 28 at the scenic VGP Golden Beach Resort, Chennai, promising high-octane action and a unique beachside sporting experience. Billed as India’s first-ever pickleball tournament by the bay, the event is also the country’s first PWR 1000 tournament, sanctioned by the Indian Pickleball Association (IPA). “But the RUC is India’s first PWR 1000,” said Aditya Khanna, co-founder of PWR. “With 25 Lakh prize money, we need very good work and publicity for this. It’s a knockout concept… with all top players.” The stakes are indeed massive. Each category winner will take home Rs 1,50,000, while runners-up will earn Rs 1,00,000. Losing semifinalists pocket Rs 75,000, and quarterfinalists receive Rs 25,000 each. With 32 entries allowed per category across men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, the battle for supremacy is expected to be fierce across three days where more than 25,000 spectators are expected The action will unfold on three indoor courts set up on the beach lawn, complemented by Sundowner parties and the bay’s spectacular views. “The RUC Championship marks a defining moment for the growth of pickleball in India. By awarding the highest PWR 1000 points so far, this event gives Indian players a global platform to showcase their talent and sets new benchmarks for the sport,” added Khanna. Dilip Mohanty, Director, Competition and Development Affairs, IPA, highlighted its impact: “Pickleball in India is at an inflection point, and hosting a PWR 1000 event like Pickleball By The Bay is a landmark moment. For the first time, Indian athletes will have the chance to earn the highest international ranking points on home soil. This event not only elevates pickleball but also opens doors for the next generation of athletes to dream bigger and aim higher.” Selvakumar Baalu, RUC Founder, added perspective on the vision: “The Rise Up Championship Foundation was created to push the boundaries of how we experience sport. By combining the worlds of sport, entertainment, and culture, we’re giving athletes, creators, and brands a space to connect, collaborate, and grow together. This is about creating a lasting ecosystem where sport is not just played, but lived and celebrated every day.”