Mumbai: India’s love for sports goes far beyond the game itself; it’s about energy, aspiration, and the communities that come alive around every match. Tapping into this spirit, Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has announced its strategic partnership with Indian Open 2026, one of India’s biggest Pickleball tournaments, organised by Global Sports in Hyderabad, in partnership with Pickl’Out and CrossCourts Sports Club.
Indian Open Pickleball 2026, starting on April 1st, 2026, is envisioned as a landmark moment for Pickleball in India, bringing together top talent, passionate fans, and a rapidly expanding sporting community. As one of India’s most exciting and fast-emerging sports, Pickleball is also rapidly building momentum among younger, digitally savvy audiences who are drawn to its pace, accessibility, and community-driven appeal. Much like the sport itself, Pocket FM has carved a distinct space among new-age audiences through immersive, emotionally engaging audio storytelling experiences that resonate deeply with today’s listeners. This partnership brings together cultural forces, a sport on the rise and a leading platform redefining entertainment for modern India.
Through this collaboration, Pocket FM will build a high-impact presence across the tournament with extensive on-ground and digital integrations designed to engage fans throughout the event. The brand will feature prominently through centre court branding, venue-wide visibility, presenting rights for select matches, mic branding, player lounge branding, and integration across the tournament’s live streaming and social media ecosystem. Pocket FM will also have a strong presence on team jerseys and across key audience touchpoints, enabling meaningful engagement with both on-ground attendees and the tournament’s wider digital community.
With audiences expected to tune in both at the venue and through live streaming on YouTube and other social platforms, the partnership presents a powerful opportunity for Pocket FM to connect with a young, highly engaged, and culturally plugged-in audience at scale. It also marks another step in the brand’s continued effort to align with emerging passion points and build relevance through high-impact partnerships and audience-first brand integrations
Vineet Singh, SVP and Global Head – Brand Marketing and Partnerships, Pocket FM, said, “At Pocket FM, we believe in opportunities that engage with audiences through cultural moments and communities that resonate strongly with today’s generation. Pickleball is building a strong connection with the young and engaged audiences in India, making Indian Open 2026 a compelling platform for us. This partnership allows us to connect with people in a meaningful way through strong on-ground presence and digital visibility, while reinforcing Pocket FM’s commitment to associating with events where passion, energy and community come together.”
Hemal Jain, Founder of Global Sports, Indian Open 2026, said, “Indian Open Pickleball 2026 is envisioned as a landmark moment for Pickleball in India, bringing together top talent, passionate fans, and a rapidly expanding sporting community. Partnering with Pocket FM adds an exciting new dimension to that experience. As a brand that has built deep resonance with young audiences across the country, Pocket FM is a strong fit for the energy and ambition of this tournament. We look forward to creating a dynamic and memorable experience together for players and fans alike.”
Pocket FM has been steadily expanding its footprint on youth culture through strategic collaborations that bring the brand closer to communities driven by passion, competition, and shared experiences. Its association with Indian Open 2026 marks another significant step in that journey, as the platform continues to build deeper cultural relevance across emerging sporting ecosystems in India.
-Based on Press Release
