Ahmedabad is set to welcome its first dedicated pickleball hub on the Sabarmati Riverfront, with an eight‑court facility planned behind the National Institute of Design. The project will combine professional training, tournaments, and pay‑and‑play access, signalling the city’s intent to embrace pickleball’s rapid rise.
Pickleball has been steadily gaining traction across India, and Ahmedabad is now preparing to give the sport a permanent home. The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL), under the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, has invited bids to build a 7,000‑sq‑m pickleball centre on the western bank of the river.
This will be the first civic‑backed pickleball facility in the city, designed to host both recreational players and competitive athletes.
What the Facility Will Offer
- Eight national and international‑standard courts
- Tournament‑grade lighting and warm‑up areas
- Spectator seating for events
- Coaching and high‑performance training programmes
- Sports science and recovery facilities
- Food court/café and parking for at least 50 cars
- Pay‑and‑play access for residents who want to try the sport without committing to elite training
This dual approach—professional infrastructure alongside casual access—reflects the city’s ambition to make pickleball both inclusive and competitive.
Why It Matters
Pickleball has exploded in popularity, with net‑covered sports like box cricket and pickleball popping up in temporary venues across SG Road and SP Ring Road. But these makeshift courts often come with high fees.
For players like Krish Sharma, a BTech student, the new centre could be transformative: “Rates at private facilities are quite high. If the corporation builds a pickleball facility, we will be able to enjoy the game at subsidised rates. It’s a great way to exercise, socialise, and hang out with friends or family.”
The Business Model
The project will run on a design, build, finance, operate, and maintain lease model:
- Private operator investment: Minimum ₹1.5 crore before operations
- Lease term: Eight years, with a possible four‑year extension
- Annual payment to SRFDCL: ₹7 lakh, rising 10% every three years
- Revenue sharing: Starts at 10% in year two, rising to 16% by year eight; extended lease requires 25% of gross revenue
Applicants must show experience in sports infrastructure projects and an average annual turnover of at least ₹60 lakh from sports activities over the past three years.
Timeline
- Request for proposals available: September 11 – October 5
- Pre‑bid meeting: September 21
- Bid submission deadline: October 5, 5 p.m.
- Technical proposals opening: October 9
Once completed, the Sabarmati Riverfront pickleball centre will give Ahmedabad a venue capable of hosting local tournaments, national events, and casual weekend matches. More importantly, it signals pickleball’s transition from a niche pastime to a mainstream sport in India.
Ahmedabad’s move could serve as a template for other cities—balancing accessibility for everyday players with infrastructure that supports professional growth. If successful, this facility may well be the start of a broader pickleball revolution across the country.
